Youth invited to Teddy Bear Clinic on Sunday
If your child is scared to visit the doctor, an event this weekend called the Teddy Bear Clinic could help your child's fears subside through role play.
The event, in its second year, is hosted by the Guam Community College Allied Health Program. It was designed by former Saipan and Guam resident Dr. Ageline Sahagun Salas, who wanted to help children "feel more comfortable with medical settings, procedures and health care professionals."
"At the Teddy Bear Island Clinic, children can step into the role of 'doctors' as they care for their own 'patients' – teddy bears provided at the event (while supplies last). Guided by GCC Practical Nursing and Medical Assisting students, members of the GCC Science and Math Club and students from the University of Guam American Medical Student Association, children will move through different 'checkup' stations that create the experience of a doctor's visit," GCC said in a press release.
The hands-on event combines health and literacy with a "playful learning" experience, the college said.
"Don't miss out on this opportunity to inspire our future health care professionals and help ease the fears that children may have with medical professionals," GCC said in the release.
Last year, children as young as 4 years old dressed up in white lab coats and conducted procedures on their teddy bear patients, such as giving the teddy bear a shot, which for many kids can be a terrifying experience.
At the time, Salas told the Post, "Teddy bears, I think it's something children can all relate to. Like, they at least have one teddy bear in their homes, and we really wanted to host this event so that, one, children are familiar (with) a concept of the teddy bear as a patient, and kind of encouraging them to not be afraid and have fun pretending to be the doctor."
This year, Salas will not be present, as she is currently in her five-year combined residency training program in both pediatrics and emergency medicine at the University of Arizona.
The 2nd Teddy Bear Clinic will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Micronesia Mall Center Court.
