Photo of a young boy playing doctor by placing a stethoscope on stuffed dog

Distinguished University Professor Sandra Russ discusses children incorporating COVID-19 in their pretend play

When playtime and COVID collide

The New York TimesSandra Russ, Distinguished University Professor and the Louis D. Beaumont University Professor, discussed how children are incorporating COVID-19 in their pretend play. She said studies have shown children in pediatric hospitals who incorporate their experience into play—by performing “surgery” on their stuffed animals, for example—experience less anxiety than those who do not.