The Potential of the “children’s waiting room” as an innovative health education strategy

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to describe the experience of the “children’s waiting room” implemented through an extension project at a reference child health care service in a medium-sized municipality in Brazil. Data Synthesis: The activity was conducted from October 2023 to May 2024, Monday through Friday, involving undergraduate students from different academic fields. A total of 160 children’s waiting room sessions were performed, with the participation of 5 to 8 children and their caregivers per session. Playful and interactive educational strategies were used to address topics such as vaccination, sleep hygiene, and healthy eating. The use of pamphlets, educational play materials, toys, and interactive activities showed positive effects, although some challenges, including waiting time and the young age of the children, limited engagement with certain topics. Conclusion: The implementation of children’s waiting spaces in public health care institutions represents a strategy to promote health education related to child development and family engagement while also providing valuable interprofessional practice opportunities for undergraduate students. Expanding these initiatives may strengthen efforts to promote child development.