The potential of the "Children's Waiting Room" as an innovative health education strategy

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to describe the experience of implementing “Children's Waiting Rooms” in a reference children's health care service in a medium-sized municipality in Brazil, promoted by an extension project. Data Synthesis: The activity, conducted between October 2023 and May 2024, from Monday to Friday, involved students from various fields, who led 160 "waiting rooms," with 5 to 8 children and their guardians participating in each. Playful and interactive educational strategies were used to address topics such as vaccination, sleep hygiene, and healthy eating. The use of pamphlets, playful resources, toys, and interactive dynamics proved to have positive effects, although challenges such as waiting time and the young age of the children made participation in some topics difficult. Conclusion: Creating children's waiting environments in public health institutions is a strategy to promote health education on child development and family engagement, while also providing valuable interprofessional practice for students. Expanding these initiatives can strengthen the promotion of early childhood development.