According to Gilmore (1966), hospitalized children showed greater preference for which type of toys?

• A. Non-hospital related toys
• B. Hospital-related toys
• C. Outdoor toys
• D. Digital toys

Answer: (B)

When children are in the hospital, play serves to make sense of what they’re experiencing and regain a sense of control in a strange environment. Gilmore’s finding shows that hospitalized children prefer hospital-related toys because these items mirror their current world—doctors, nurses, medical equipment, beds, and routines. Playing with hospital-themed toys lets children act out procedures, role-play interactions with caregivers, and rehearse what’s happening to them, which helps reduce fear and anxiety and gives them a sense of mastery over their environment. In contrast, toys that aren’t tied to the hospital setting don’t provide that immediate relevance or opportunity for symbolic coping. Outdoor toys may be limited by space or health restrictions, and digital toys were not as common in 1966 and don’t specifically connect to the hospital experience. This preference aligns with the idea that play in hospitalization supports emotional adjustment by letting children process their illness through familiar, meaningful play.