Flinders SARM Program Year 2 students brought learning to life last week, hosting a Teddy Bear Hospital at Berri Primary School.<\/p>\n
With much-loved teddies and soft toys in all shapes and sizes, primary school students were introduced to the Teddy Bear Hospital before becoming \u201cjunior doctors\u201d themselves.<\/p>\n
Under the guidance of the medical students, the children examined their cuddly patients, listening to heartbeats with a stethoscope, using an auriscope and carefully bandaging injured teddy limbs.<\/p>\n
The hands-on and interactive session was filled with curiosity, creativity and plenty of smiles.<\/p>\n
The Teddy Bear Hospital has become a much-loved activity for both SARM students and children across the Riverland.<\/p>\n
Beyond the fun, the program provides valuable learning opportunities for everyone involved. For medical students, it is a chance to build communication skills and practise engaging with children in a supportive, low-pressure environment.<\/p>\n
For the children, the experience can help make healthcare settings, medical equipment and examinations feel more familiar and less intimidating, helping to build confidence around visiting healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n
Ben Thomas, a SARM student who helped organise the activity with Margo Muir, said the students had thoroughly enjoyed taking Teddy Bear Hospital into schools across the Riverland.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have thoroughly enjoyed Teddy Bear Hospital this year, visiting schools across the Riverland,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love working with these children and exploring their imagination, creativity and knowledge. It also allows us to talk about the importance of healthcare and building strong, healthy relationships with healthcare professionals and the healthcare system.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are looking forward to continuing our Teddy Bear Hospital sessions across the Riverland throughout 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
For fellow SARM student Margo Muir, returning to Teddy Bear Hospital this year has been particularly rewarding.<\/p>\n
\u201cReturning again this year for Teddy Bear Hospital has been such a rewarding and fulfilling experience for everyone involved,\u201d Margo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, it is so special to be involved in a simple, yet impactful initiative that helps us as medical students learn how to connect with children and, at the same time, hopefully make their future experiences of healthcare a little less daunting.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing the awe and excitement amongst the children makes you realise how much of an impact these experiences can have.\u201d<\/p>\n
The day was a great success, with plenty of laughter, learning and proud moments shared between the children and medical students.<\/p>\n
Each child left with a clean bill of health for their beloved teddy or toy, along with a certificate to mark the occasion.<\/p>\n
The Teddy Bear Hospital is more than just a fun day at school. It is an opportunity to nurture confidence, compassion and positive connections with healthcare from an early age, while giving future doctors valuable experience communicating with young patients.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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