A stay in a hospital is not one of the easiest experiences in the life of a child and its parents. Fortunately, there are people who can make this challenging time pleasant and at least a little easier. They’re the animators. It’s the most advantageous when they’re an integral part of the child care team. Here, at the Paley European Institute, that's exactly how it is! :)

The animators play an important role during the admission of the child to the hospital and the entire stay in the ward. The animals dance between the rooms in colorful costumes and make smaller and larger patients, parents, and even medical staff smile. Full of empathy, good humor, and their characteristic charm, they accompany children in important moments. You can joke with them, laugh, scratch, dance, and play pranks. And when that happens – it’s also until you burst into laughter. A sheep and a unicorn will hold your toddler by the hand, play your favorite song, tell a story, or just sit next to it and listen.

Their role is to give the child courage, cheer it up, and ease the anxiety that may accompany the hospital stay. Playing is a great distraction from things that children do not want to focus on. Additionally, it makes you feel better and sometimes makes you cry – but only with laughter! Our animators are well aware that true joy brings many benefits. Among other things, it helps to wind down and relax muscles, making medical treatments less painful. Laughter lowers blood pressure, which rises from stress, and supports the immune system.

The support of animators helps children to cope better in the hospital reality and helps to alleviate bad memories caused by previous, unfavorable experiences related to medical facilities. It helps small patients to smoothly go through the entire treatment process in the hospital, and, by creating a friendly atmosphere and providing entertainment, it fosters good associations with people and places related to medical care.

Our animators do not limit themselves only to supporting children. They make efforts to make their parents feel comfortable as well. They will be happy to play with the child when the caregiver needs to rest, use the toilet, drink something warm, or make a phone call. So, if they ask you if you need anything – go ahead and tell them!