Program giving a ‘prescription for play’

WINTERSVILLE -- Imagine going for a check-up at the doctor's office and being given a prescription to have more fun. That is exactly what is happening at C.H.A.N.G.E., Inc. Family Medical Care practice pediatrician offices.

The offices, located in Wintersville and Newell, have teamed up with LEGO System's DUPLO division to be the first offices in the nation to launch the Prescription for Play program.

DUPLO is the preschool division of the popular plastic brick toys and the Prescription for Play is a new initiative the company created to encourage parents and caregivers to play with their children for at least 15 minutes per day.

Dr. Paul McDonald, a pediatrician with C.H.A.N.G.E., first learned about the program while at the American Association of Pediatrics conference, held in Florida in November.

McDonald said he was intrigued by the program and found himself returning to the LEGO booth time and again.

Drew Vernon, the DUPLO brand manager, said that after meeting McDonald, he knew he had found the right doctor and the right practice to roll out the new program. The company currently runs similar programs in other countries, but this would be the first time it was tested in the United States.

"I was drawn to his passion and enthusiasm," Vernon said of McDonald. "I knew he would be prefect. LEGO believes in building on tomorrow."

The program was created to encourage play and teach parents the benefits of play in their children's lives.

"We are raising the importance of integrated play in children's lives," Karen Hughes, the senior manager of government and public affairs in the America's for LEGO, said. "It increases motor skills, social skills and creativity."

Since December toddlers coming in for either their 18-month or 24-month wellness check-ups are given a "prescription for play" and a pack of the brightly colored plastic bricks in two shades of blue. The pack includes enough pieces to make a llama-like animal but, in the tradition of the toys, can be rebuilt over and over again in a seemingly endless list of combinations.

"It increases their learning abilities and their creativity," McDonald said.

"The kids also can test out their role-playing by making it talk or growl," Hughes said.

The "prescription" lists different ideas for play time and some of the importance benefits of playing.

McDonald said in today's society, caregivers are often finding it harder to take time out to just play with their children, but by having a doctor tell you to do just that offers the adults some encouragement and validation.

"It makes a difference having a pediatric telling you 'It's okay to take time out of your day and to do this'," he said. "It gives this permission to play."

"We are really dedicated to promoting the importance of play," Hughes said.

"It's not just OK to play, but it's beneficial to the children and the parents," Vernon said.

Jessica Watjen, a mother of five from Steubenville, thinks the program is great, as do her children, Liam, 8; Fiona, 6; Anna 4; Marie 2, and Cora, 4 months.

"I think it's wonderful," Watjen said. "It's an easy reminder to play with your children. It is so easy to get caught up and busy."

Fiona said she thinks it's a "good idea" and Liam said he likes to use the blocks to "build pyramids."

Vernon said the program was tested here starting in December, but will be rolled out to the rest of the nation this month. They hope to reach at least 50,000 children in the U.S.; a goal that he said is certainly doable.

"I get five to 10 requests a day," he said.

"It's great to be the first," McDonald said. "I have pages and pages of positive feedback."

For more information on C.H.A.N.G.E., Inc call (740) 314-8258 for Wintersville, (304) 459-4010 for Newell, or visit C.H.A.N.G.E., Inc.'s website at www.changeinc.org.

For more information on LEGO and DUPLO visit www.lego.com.