Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the absolute joy of delivering 21 Health-Related Play Box sessions to schools across Scotland in celebration of their Health Weeks. From Edinburgh to the Highlands, we’ve brought the magic of health-related play and story play to classrooms, engaging children in important conversations about their rights to the best possible health.
We visited Ratho Primary (Edinburgh), Our Lady of the Annunciation Primary School (Glasgow), Wishaw Academy Primary School (North Lanarkshire), and Burghhead Primary School (Highlands)—bringing interactive learning experiences both in person and virtually. Hosting our first virtual school visit with Burghhead Primary was a milestone, proving that connection and learning can transcend physical boundaries!
One of the highlights of our sessions was exploring Bear’s Big Hospital Adventure, where children learned how Bear’s health rights were respected during his hospital journey. This interactive storytelling helped students understand their own health rights in a meaningful and engaging way.
As one Primary One child beautifully put it:
I liked hearing about Bear! It made me feel less scared about going to the hospital because now I know they will take care of me.
For older primary school children, our discussions went deeper, focusing on mental, physical, and social health—emphasising how each aspect contributes to overall wellbeing and the importance of defending Article 24 of the UNCRC, ensuring every child has the right to the best possible health.
As one Primary 5 pupil shared:
I love it when Children’s Health Scotland visits! It helps me understand my health, makes me feel listened to and supported, and teaches me about my health rights. It’s really important to know we have rights and that people care about how we feel.
Rhianne Forrest, Officer for Children’s Health Scotland, shared her reflections on the importance of these sessions:
Play is a fundamental right for children—it’s how they navigate the world and explore possibly scary situations. Health-Related Play Box sessions are essential because they allow us to explain hospital experiences and health rights in ways children understand. Health Weeks provide a vital space for children to ask questions and use story play to explore what being in hospital might feel like. At their core, health rights ensure children feel safe, heard, and valued, and these weeks, alongside the incredible support schools provide, truly encompass that vision.
These sessions have been a powerful reminder of how play and storytelling can shape understanding, spark important conversations, and empower young minds. Thank you to the schools that welcomed us, the educators who made it possible, and of course, the brilliant children who participated with such enthusiasm.
