“It just lightens it”: SickKids’ WAV PlayPark transforms family’s hospital stay

“He’s at the age where he was curious, and he felt like he was left out being at home,” his mom Donna says. “Jayden knew we were going somewhere and it was tough for him because he knew his sisters were at the hospital but he’d never seen them.” 

Then a SickKids social worker told her about the Women’s Auxiliary Volunteers (WAV) PlayPark, a space built for siblings of patients like Jayden, who is the oldest of four. That conversation led to the end of Jayden’s tantrums – and the beginning of including him in his sisters’ journeys in a meaningful way. 

WAV PlayPark is a “huge help” 

The WAV PlayPark is, as the name suggests, a large space filled with themed nooks for playing and learning. It’s open to children with clinic visits at SickKids and their siblings as well as siblings of inpatients. Children must be two-and-a-half and older, or accompanied by a parent or caregiver if they’re younger. 

As the PlayPark’s supervisor, Telma Demelo knows firsthand the impact it has on children and families. She’s seen how parents feel comfortable leaving their child in the care of familiar faces, knowing they’ll learn and play in a safe environment close by. The first thing parents ask, says Demelo, is how much it costs. They’re delighted to learn that it’s free.  

Demelo is one of six Registered Early Childhood Educators who work in the PlayPark, joined by WAV volunteers at SickKids. The PlayPark is open seven days a week and depending on the day, there are about 12 to 25 children in the PlayPark.  

In addition to its benefits for siblings of patients, Demelo notes visiting the PlayPark “softens the visit” for children coming to SickKids for a clinic appointment. A child may not have a choice when they must get a needle at an appointment, but in the PlayPark they can feel empowered by choosing where they play and what toys to use. 

“Before they leave, they can have a happier mindset, not emotional because of their bloodwork,” she says.  

“Parents often say it’s a huge help for the kids. It’s a gift in this trying time for kids’ mental health.” 

Jayden’s PlayPark experience  

At first, Donna was nervous to drop Jayden off at the PlayPark. He was born during the pandemic and hadn’t been to daycare yet, so she worried he’d cry for his parents and the staff would need to call her to come pick him up. 

But that never happened. Instead, “he had so much fun that he never cried or called for us,” Donna says. “We were quite shocked.” 

Jayden visited the PlayPark in the afternoon three days a week for the three-and-a-half weeks his sister was in the SickKids neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). He loved playing with toys based on TV shows and spending time with Demelo and Lina, another Registered Early Childhood Educator. Demelo notes Jayden always had a creative story to tell about the toys he was playing with. His parents brought him upstairs to meet his baby sister, too, having read Jayden a book from the PlayPark’s resource library about what it’s like to have a sibling in the NICU.  

“He was never scared, because he knew the hospital was a fun place because of the PlayPark. Even though his sisters are in the hospital, and everything looks intimidating with all the machines, the tubes, the wires, the PlayPark was something to look forward to. It just lightens it.”  

Now, when his parents leave to go to the hospital, Jayden’s mood is completely different.  

“He understands why we go now and what it’s all about,” Donna says.  

Her daughter who was cared for at SickKids has now been transferred to another NICU with her twin and Jayden has started to attend daycare – his experience at the PlayPark “really helped” to ease the transition.  

The women’s organization that makes it possible

Carol Taylor knew from walking by the PlayPark that it was an inviting space with lots of fun activities for children. From the Main Street windows, you can see the colourful, mural-adorned walls, play mats and tables. 

But when she went inside on a tour, Taylor was struck by everything you can’t see from outside, the plethora of games and books tucked inside the cupboards and tucked around the corners.

“They’ve thought of things for children of all ages. Whether they want a quiet place to read or if they want to do crafts, play video games or simply play with other children, they’ve covered it all,” she says. “It’s magical.” 

Taylor is the president of the WAV, the organization that opened the PlayPark in 1974. 

As the SickKids community celebrates 50 years of the PlayPark, Taylor wants to share just how ingrained the WAV is in all areas of the hospital. Founded by the wives of doctors in 1950, WAV currently has around 200 active volunteers working everywhere from the 555 Shop on Main Street – which the organization owns and operates – to the Info Desk, surgical waiting room and other clinics. It also sponsors research chairs and runs the Bravery Bead program in partnership with Child Life Specialists.  

The WAV has committed more than $20 million in support of SickKids research, clinical care and initiatives like the PlayPark since 1993. Some volunteers have been with the charity for decades. Taylor credits the passion volunteers feel with their long tenures – it’s a feeling she was struck by on her volunteer training day in 2016, and one that hasn’t faded in the years since.  

Demelo, too, is a 33-year longstanding member of the SickKids community, so much so that some patients who used the space as children and are now adults stop by to say hi when they’re in the area for other hospital appointments.  

“I still feel as passionate as I did on day one,” she says. “Families are going through so, so much. It gives perspective on our lives. We have to be there for them. They are our first priority.”