Written by Alaina Wolf // Graphic by Ben Evans
The Family and Consumer Sciences Department is preparing for a clinic in which children will be able to interact with medical concepts in an extra child-friendly environment. Harding FCS students will hold a teddy bear clinic over the course of one week in March at the Searcy Public Library.
During this week-long event, children will have the opportunity to check in their stuffed animals at the clinic and go through what anyone might go through during a real check up. Some of the stations they can bring their teddy bears to include an x-ray station, a nutrition station, a station where they can help wrap a cast and many others. This is the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that FCS will organize such a clinic.
While this may seem simple on the surface level, senior child life major Kalyn Epperson explained how this meaningful interaction is beneficial for these children.
“The purpose of the teddy bear clinic is to minimize fear around the hospital,” Epperson said. “They’re getting to do something that is scary to something that is friendly.”
Epperson said each child that attends this event is one less child who is afraid of going to the doctor.
Junior Leah Egli emphasized how the clinic will mean more to these children than some realize. The teddy bear clinic is a perfect balance between playing and learning about real life concepts, Egli said.
“I am excited to be able to help facilitate an environment for children to play and also learn,” Egli said. “The teddy bear clinic is a great way to introduce medical concepts in a non-threatening way.”
Junior Chloe Schliffka explained how she is excited about the many events that FCS hosts for the surrounding community.
“There are so many offered opportunities for us to connect and build relationships as we work towards our professional goals,” Schliffka said. “The environment in which we learn is full of support, hands-on experiences, knowledge and fun.”
The teddy bear clinic will be one of the several events this department is organizing for the community.
“Getting to be involved with the people and discovering new ways to interact with the public through creative ways offers experiences that promote supportive relationships with the community,” Schliffka said.
