We chose to focus on children aged 5-13 because this is a pivotal time for developing social skill including social norms, communication skills, and the capacity to understand complex situations. We view this time range as entering the reality, so we believe supporting their socio-psychological awareness, sense of agency, and logical reasoning now will significantly impact their long-term wellbeing.

Our approach integrates core affect theory and the positive experience framework, ensuring our designs not only meet developmental needs but also enhance hospital experiences through flexible communication strategies, age-appropriate content, and empowering spatial designs.

In user testing for hospitalized children aged 6 to 12, we’ve identified their core need for normalcy and belonging. These children want their hospital stay to mirror their everyday lives, where they can play, learn, and interact as they do at home or school.

A significant pain point is communication, especially when expressing the type and severity of pain. This often leads to feelings of being overlooked in their care. Socially, these children form deeper connections with peers who share similar health experiences, preferring not to discuss their conditions with others who might view them only through the lens of their illness.The family’s role and the need for care that respects cultural and linguistic backgrounds are also critical. Effective communication within healthcare settings is vital for both children and their families.By applying these insights, we aim to make the hospital experience feel more familiar and less isolating. Our goal is to create an environment where children can feel like themselves, despite their patient status, fostering a sense of belonging and comfort.

In our user testing with hospitalized children aged 6 to 12, we've identified key challenges such as a profound sense of disruption from normal life, difficulties in communicating pain, and a need for age-appropriate interactions.

These children seek environments that replicate familiar aspects of their daily lives and value connections with peers facing similar health challenges, preferring these supportive relationships to counteract feelings of isolation. Healthcare professionals emphasize the importance of providing clear explanations about medical procedures, enhancing spatial awareness, and allowing choices within constraints to empower patients.

By incorporating these insights, our design strategy aims to foster a more inclusive and supportive hospital environment that acknowledges and addresses these concerns, ultimately enhancing the overall care experience and reducing feelings of isolation for these young patients.

Our first element, the podcast, empowers young patients to share their stories, transforming their hospital experience into an opportunity for creativity. By telling their stories, children reshape their emotional landscape into one of pride and positivity, aligning with appraisal theory's emphasis on the therapeutic power of storytelling.

The newsletter, our second element, sends messages filled with understanding and empathy, shifting children’s perceptions from isolation to feeling supported. It enables them to be more than just recipients of messages; they become active correspondents in a community of mutual support, uplifting spirits and fostering connectivity.

Lastly, the Community Map offers a tactile and visual experience that transforms their view of the hospital from a place of constraints to a canvas of possibilities. This map is a collective artwork, allowing children to add to a larger narrative of resilience and belonging, turning a passive environment into an active space of empowerment and collective storytelling. These elements together aim to enhance the hospital stay by providing meaningful and engaging experiences that promote a sense of community and personal contribution.