Histórias Que Acolhem: A Literatura Infantil Como Instrumento Terapêutico Em Espaços Hospitalares

Abstract

This research discusses the implementation of Children's Literature as a therapeutic tool within the context of Hospital Pedagogy. The interest in this topic stems from a personal experience, where the author observed a lack of pedagogical resources in hospital environments, particularly during her sister's hospitalization. The main objective is to analyze the contribution of Children's Literature to the emotional recovery of hospitalized children. Specifically, it aims to explore how Children's Literature stimulates emotional and social development during hospitalization and to understand how reading and storytelling help children escape the harsh reality of their medical condition. The study is based on a Qualitative approach, exploratory and descriptive in nature, focusing on a state-of-the-art review to support the research. Data analysis was conducted using the Fedathi Sequence Methodology for Data Analysis (SFMAD), including its sub-phases for organizing and interpreting the findings. The theoretical framework includes contributions from Alencar (2019), Gomes et al. (2019), Souza et al. (2019), Santos (2024), Silva (2023), Costa (2020), and Gonçalves (2020), which provided valuable insights into the integration of Children's Literature in hospital settings and its benefits. The research concludes that Children's Literature, when incorporated into Hospital Pedagogy, plays a crucial role in the recovery of hospitalized children. Through storytelling, it transforms the unfamiliar and often frightening hospital environment into a welcoming and comforting space. This study aims to support future research in these two interconnected areas, which together offer emotional refuge to hospitalized children.