The role of positive distraction in pediatric design
June 01, 2026
By Beth Carroll and Calise Gritters
Beth Carroll and Calise Gritters write in Healthcare Facilities Today how positive distraction aids healing by improving mental wellbeing
When it comes to children, distraction is one of the oldest tricks in the human playbook. Simple, positive distractions have the power to transform unpleasant experiences into moments of joy. Think about the wonderfully distracting effects of colorful bandages featuring cartoon characters. Similar logic can be applied to design at a larger scale.
When it comes to the built environment, distraction can help or hurt the intended purpose of the environment. This situation is especially true in healthcare facilities, where alarms, clinical noises, unsettling sights or smells and intense emotions can dominate. These factors can amplify anxiety, fear and worry.
But distraction can play a positive role in healthcare. By itself, it does not heal, but it can aid the healing process by addressing the mental well-being of an individual.
Share
-
As a principal and health planning lead, Beth provides clinical planning leadership for healthcare projects at the local, regional, and national levels.
Contact Beth -
Calise is an architect and health planner who helps translate clinical and operational needs into clear programs and conceptual designs, bringing a balance of analytical thinking and design sensitivity to complex healthcare environments.
Contact Calise
{
"headline": "Related Ideas",
"link": {
"text":"View More Ideas",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/market\/health.html"
},
"newTab": false,
"uuid": "adde2fef\u002Df3b3\u002D4a19\u002D9da9\u002D8c2123dd87ee",
"themeClass": "home-related-items-2",
"tabs": [
{
"headline": "",
"active": true,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 0 - The role of positive distraction in pediatric design",
"link": {
"text":"The role of positive distraction in pediatric design",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2026\/role\u002Dpositive\u002Ddistraction\u002Dpediatric\u002Ddesign.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0137\/texas\u002Dchildrens\u002Dhospital\u002Daustin\u002Dnorth\u002D272546.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "The role of positive distraction in pediatric design",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 1 - Building envelope design in healthcare goes beyond energy efficiency",
"link": {
"text":"Building envelope design in healthcare goes beyond energy efficiency",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/building\u002Denvelope\u002Ddesign\u002Dhealthcare\u002Dgoes\u002Dbeyond\u002Denergy\u002Defficiency.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0076\/cambridge\u002Dmemorial\u002Dhospital\u002D3.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Building envelope design in healthcare goes beyond energy efficiency",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 2 - Advancing airborne infection control in healthcare: Insights from ASHRAE 241",
"link": {
"text":"Advancing airborne infection control in healthcare: Insights from ASHRAE 241",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2026\/advancing\u002Dairborne\u002Dinfection\u002Dcontrol\u002Dhealthcare\u002Dinsights\u002Dfrom\u002Dashrae\u002D241.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/004\/hospital\u002Dair\u002Dconditioning\u002Dadobestock\u002D473754935.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Advancing airborne infection control in healthcare: Insights from ASHRAE 241",
"overwriteSubhead": "Technical Paper",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 3 - Pediatric healthcare design: 4 ways to engage children, reduce stress, and improve care",
"link": {
"text":"Pediatric healthcare design: 4 ways to engage children, reduce stress, and improve care",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/pediatric\u002Dhealthcare\u002Ddesign\u002D4\u002Dways\u002Dto\u002Dengage\u002Dchildren\u002Dreduce\u002Dstress\u002Dimprove\u002Dcare.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0137\/texas\u002Dchildrens\u002Dhospital\u002Daustin\u002Dnorth\u002D272542.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Pediatric healthcare design: 4 ways to engage children, reduce stress, and improve care",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 4 - Design Hive: Brenda Bush-Moline on health equity",
"link": {
"text":"Design Hive: Brenda Bush\u002DMoline on health equity",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2021\/design\u002Dhive\u002Depisode\u002D7\u002Dbrenda\u002Dbush\u002Dmoline\u002Don\u002Dhealth\u002Dequity.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0114\/ny\u002Dpresbyterian\u002D185544.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Design Hive: Brenda Bush\u002DMoline on health equity",
"overwriteSubhead": "Podcast",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 5 - From the Design Quarterly: Healthy neighbors",
"link": {
"text":"From the Design Quarterly: Healthy neighbors",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2018\/from\u002Dthe\u002Ddesign\u002Dquarterly\u002Dhealthy\u002Dneighbors.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/012\/from\u002Dthe\u002Ddq\u002Dhealth\u002Dneighbors\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "From the Design Quarterly: Healthy neighbors",
"overwriteSubhead": "",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 6 - Design Quarterly Issue 09 | People, buildings & technology",
"link": {
"text":"Design Quarterly Issue 09 | People, buildings \x26 technology",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/publication\/2020\/stantec\u002Ddesign\u002Dquarterly\u002Dissue\u002D09.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/002\/design\u002Dquarterly\u002Dissue\u002D09.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Design Quarterly Issue 09 | People, buildings \x26 technology",
"overwriteSubhead": "Publication",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 7 - Room to Grow",
"link": {
"text":"Room to Grow",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2020\/room\u002Dto\u002Dgrow.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0098\/seraph\u002Dmcsparren\u002Dpediatric\u002Dinpatient\u002Dcenter\u002D161201.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Room to Grow",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 8 - [With Video] Why VR matters in healthcare design",
"link": {
"text":"[With Video] Why VR matters in healthcare design",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2020\/with\u002Dvideo\u002Dwhy\u002Dvr\u002Dmatters\u002Din\u002Dhealthcare\u002Ddesign.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0053\/ucsf\u002Dprecision\u002Dcancer\u002Dmedicine\u002Dbldg\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "[With Video] Why VR matters in healthcare design",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 9 - Buildings that care: 6 things to know about WELL certification in hospitals",
"link": {
"text":"Buildings that care: 6 things to know about WELL certification in hospitals",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2022\/buildings\u002Dthat\u002Dcare\u002D6\u002Dthings\u002Dto\u002Dknow\u002Dabout\u002Dwell\u002Dcertification\u002Din\u002Dhospitals.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0100\/centre\u002Daddication\u002Dmental\u002Dhealth\u002Dcamh\u002D177784.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Buildings that care: 6 things to know about WELL certification in hospitals",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 10 - How do we promote access to healthcare in Hawaii? Start with the Spirit of ʻOhana",
"link": {
"text":"How do we promote access to healthcare in Hawaii? Start with the Spirit of ʻOhana",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/how\u002Ddo\u002Dwe\u002Dpromote\u002Daccess\u002Dto\u002Dhealthcare\u002Din\u002Dhawaii\u002Dstart\u002Dwith\u002Dspirit\u002Dof\u002Dohana.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0101\/straub\u002Dclinic\u002Durgent\u002Dcare\u002Dkahala\u002D4.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How do we promote access to healthcare in Hawaii? Start with the Spirit of ʻOhana",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 11 - Creating memories in a supportive home away from home",
"link": {
"text":"Creating memories in a supportive home away from home",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2022\/creating\u002Dmemories\u002Din\u002Da\u002Dsupportive\u002Dhome\u002Daway\u002Dfrom\u002Dhome.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0114\/ny\u002Dpresbyterian\u002D185545.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Creating memories in a supportive home away from home",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 12 - Why decarbonizing hospitals smartly is better than electrification for healthcare design",
"link": {
"text":"Why decarbonizing hospitals smartly is better than electrification for healthcare design",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/why\u002Ddecarbonizing\u002Dhospitals\u002Dsmartly\u002Dis\u002Dbetter\u002Dthan\u002Delectrification\u002Dfor\u002Dhealthcare\u002Ddesign.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0133\/gr\u002Dbaker\u002Dmemorial\u002Dhospital\u002D220100.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Why decarbonizing hospitals smartly is better than electrification for healthcare design",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 13 - Breaking up with the mega hospital: Redefining healthcare campus master planning in Canada",
"link": {
"text":"Breaking up with the mega hospital: Redefining healthcare campus master planning in Canada",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/breaking\u002Dup\u002Dwith\u002Dmega\u002Dhospital\u002Dredefining\u002Dhealthcare\u002Dcampus\u002Dmaster\u002Dplanning\u002Dcanada.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0135\/penn\u002Dmedicine\u002Dcherry\u002Dhill\u002Dmedical\u002Doffice\u002Dbldg\u002D119678.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Breaking up with the mega hospital: Redefining healthcare campus master planning in Canada",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 14 - Design Quarterly Issue 14 | Tools and Data",
"link": {
"text":"Design Quarterly Issue 14 | Tools and Data",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/publication\/2021\/stantec\u002Ddesign\u002Dquarterly\u002Dissue\u002D14.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/003\/design\u002Dquarterly\u002Dissue\u002D14.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Design Quarterly Issue 14 | Tools and Data",
"overwriteSubhead": "Publication",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 15 - 6 design approaches that humanize cancer care amid technology advances",
"link": {
"text":"6 design approaches that humanize cancer care amid technology advances",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2023\/6\u002Ddesign\u002Dapproaches\u002Dthat\u002Dhumanize\u002Dcancer\u002Dcare\u002Damid\u002Dtechnology\u002Dadvances.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0129\/cleveland\u002Dclinic\u002Dtaussig\u002Dcancer\u002Dcenter\u002D123937.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "6 design approaches that humanize cancer care amid technology advances",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 16 - 7 ways we can design more resilient healthcare projects today",
"link": {
"text":"7 ways we can design more resilient healthcare projects today",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2022\/7\u002Dways\u002Dwe\u002Dcan\u002Ddesign\u002Dmore\u002Dresilient\u002Dhealthcare\u002Dprojects\u002Dtoday.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0105\/st\u002Dpauls\u002Dhospital\u002Dstantec\u002Dhdr\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "7 ways we can design more resilient healthcare projects today",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 17 - Better than ever: 5 things becoming a parent taught me about pediatric design",
"link": {
"text":"Better than ever: 5 things becoming a parent taught me about pediatric design",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2022\/better\u002Dthan\u002Dever\u002D5\u002Dthings\u002Dbecoming\u002Da\u002Dparent\u002Dtaught\u002Dme\u002Dabout\u002Dpediatric\u002Ddesign.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/022\/elisa\u002Dcosta\u002Dfamily.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Better than ever: 5 things becoming a parent taught me about pediatric design",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 18 - Rethinking air pressure in operating rooms could save lives",
"link": {
"text":"Rethinking air pressure in operating rooms could save lives",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2022\/rethinking\u002Dair\u002Dpressure\u002Din\u002Doperating\u002Drooms\u002Dcould\u002Dsave\u002Dlives.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/022\/operating\u002Droom\u002Dadobestock\u002D164876684.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Rethinking air pressure in operating rooms could save lives",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 19 - The (remote) doctor is in: 5 ways telehealth is changing design",
"link": {
"text":"The (remote) doctor is in: 5 ways telehealth is changing design",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2022\/the\u002Dremote\u002Ddoctor\u002Dis\u002Din\u002D5\u002Dways\u002Dtelehealth\u002Dis\u002Dchanging\u002Ddesign.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/020\/virtual\u002Dreality\u002Dhealth\u002Dadobestock\u002D142385007.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "The (remote) doctor is in: 5 ways telehealth is changing design",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 20 - Design through stories: Experience-based design in pediatric healthcare",
"link": {
"text":"Design through stories: Experience\u002Dbased design in pediatric healthcare",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2022\/design\u002Dthrough\u002Dstories\u002Dexperience\u002Dbased\u002Ddesign\u002Din\u002Dpediatric\u002Dhealthcare.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/020\/child\u002Dpatient\u002Dadobestock\u002D295059980.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Design through stories: Experience\u002Dbased design in pediatric healthcare",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 21 - What does designing with the heart of healthcare mean for nurses?",
"link": {
"text":"What does designing with the heart of healthcare mean for nurses?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2020\/what\u002Ddoes\u002Ddesigning\u002Dwith\u002Dthe\u002Dheart\u002Dof\u002Dhealthcare\u002Dmean\u002Dfor\u002Dnurses.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0024\/tunbridge\u002Dwells\u002Dhospital\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "What does designing with the heart of healthcare mean for nurses?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 22 - How technology is changing the patient experience—and what that means for designers",
"link": {
"text":"How technology is changing the patient experience—and what that means for designers",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2020\/how\u002Dtechnology\u002Dis\u002Dchanging\u002Dthe\u002Dpatient\u002Dexperience\u002Dand\u002Dwhat\u002Dthat\u002Dmeans\u002Dfor\u002Ddesigners.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/009\/technology\u002Dchanging\u002Dpatient\u002Dexperience\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How technology is changing the patient experience—and what that means for designers",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 23 - From the Design Quarterly: House calls of the future",
"link": {
"text":"From the Design Quarterly: House calls of the future",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2019\/from\u002Dthe\u002Ddesign\u002Dquarterly\u002Dhouse\u002Dcalls\u002Dof\u002Dthe\u002Dfuture.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/005\/design\u002Dquarterly\u002Dhouse\u002Dcalls\u002D2.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "From the Design Quarterly: House calls of the future",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
}
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
}
]
}