The importance of play in children's health services, both as a form of therapy and as a distraction, is often overlooked. This unique text promotes developmentally appropriate provision within healthcare settings for children and young people and provides an introduction to the underpinning knowledge and skills.

Forward Suzanne Storer Introduction 1. The Development of Play and Recreation in Healthcare Settings Julia Whitaker, Frances Barbour and Claire Weldon 2. Anatomy and Physiology: Applied Knowledge in Practice Alison Tonkin 3. The Child, Family and Society Vanessa Lovett 4. Child Development in Practice Vanessa Lovett, Claire Weldon and Alison Tonkin 5. Play and Recreation Claire Weldon and Helen Peck 6. Enhancing Resilience in Children and Young People Norma Jun-Tai and Frances Barbour 7. Promoting Health and Wellbeing Alison Tonkin and Jenni Etchells 8. Policy and Practice Sandie Dinnen and Sue Ware 9. Investigating Play and Recreation in Healthcare Alison Tonkin and Norma Jun-Tai 10. Involving Children and Young People Irene O'Donnell and Sharon Honey 11. Leading the Promotion of Play and Recreation Alison Tonkin and Irene O'Donnell 12. Using Play in Diverse Healthcare Settings Alison Tonkin with Joan Arton, Sonia Ciampolini, Christina Freeman, Sharon Aylott, Abi Warren, Marcia Gilkes, Rebecca Kirby and Carol Sullivan-Wallace