ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the behavior of children before and after a therapeutic play session. Methods: A quantitative and descriptive study was carried out in a major hospital of the city of Santos, State of São Paulo, involving 30 preschool children recently admitted to a pediatric ward. A behavior scale was applied before and after a therapeutic play session. This scale comprises six categories: moving, gazing, expressing feelings, talking, playing, and not responding to stimuli or requests. Each category is […]