DISCOVER

The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department February 2023

Lauren’s Lyrics

Lauren, 13, visits the hematology/oncology outpatient clinic every few months for infusions. During Lauren’s last clinic visit, she shared that she was anxious, but remembered that “so many friends” were waiting for her at clinic. Her mom compared her clinic visits to a “playdate,” since she gets to see so many people she has grown to know. Lauren works with Ali Spikestein, child life specialist, facility dog, Professor, and Bethany Pincus, music therapist. During a recent music therapy session, Lauren requested to sing some of her favorite songs with Bethany to help release some negative energy and anxiety. Lauren sang, “Mean” by Taylor Swift, and shared that she loves the lyrics because it makes the songs so relatable. Bethany then prompted Lauren to write a song, as Lauren was vocal about her experiences at clinic that could be relatable to other patients visiting the clinic.

Lauren was a bit nervous at first, as she had never written a song before; however, she was encouraged by her mom to write about her “playdate at Mount Sinai.”

Lauren started the song with expressing some anxiety as she prepares in the morning to drive to clinic, but goes on to easily list all of the activities that make her experience in clinic feel like a “playdate.” This includes working with child life, music and art therapy, the teachers, playing with Professor and seeing familiar faces each time. She named her song “Playdate at Sinai,” in hopes that other patients and families could see their experience at clinic like a “playdate” so it would not feel as scary.

Lauren’s song truly captured how our child life and creative arts therapy team can help patients and their families feel brave at the hospital.

“Playdate at Sinai”

Wake up in the morning

Gotta get ready to go

I’m feeling a little nervous

But I know that I’m a pro

Grab my bag from the closet

Pack the things that make me feel good

Knowing that I can do this So come on now let’s go

I’m on my way to my playdate

But there’s so much unknown

I’m looking out the window

With the music in my ears

Not wanting to do this

But I have to face my fears

I’m going on a play date

Gonna sing some songs

I’m going on a playdate

Gonna see the facility dog

I’m going on a play date

Gonna do some arts and crafts

I’m going on a playdate

The teacher will help me with math

Walking through the door

Everyone’s so friendly

So many familiar faces

My playdate’s about to begin

I get to pet Professor

And he melts my heart

I get to belt some Taylor Swift

And feel like a pop star

I’m going on a playdate

Gonna sing some songs

I’m going on a play date

Gonna see the facility dog

I’m going on a playdate

Gonna do some arts and crafts

I’m going on a play date

The teacher will help me with math.