Final answer:
The most appropriate playroom activity for a group of 7-year-old children is option C, Board games with rules, as children at this age understand and enjoy games with structure and interact well with activities that involve following rules and role-play.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is seeking an appropriate playroom activity for a small group of hospitalized 7-year-old children. Based on their developmental stage, children of this age are capable of understanding luck and fairness, and consequently, can follow rules for games. Board games would be a suitable activity because they typically involve rules that children can follow, promote cognitive development, and encourage interaction and cooperation among players. Moreover, at this age, children engage in the game stage of play where they can comprehend multiple roles and recognize the interaction between those roles, which board games often mimic. Therefore, option C, which suggests Board games with rules, is the most fitting activity for 7-year-old children in a playroom setting.
While chess and television programs might be suitable for some children, they might not cater to the developmental needs or attention spans of all 7-year-olds. Finger paints and water play are typically associated with younger children and might not hold the attention or interest of children in middle and late childhood. Finally, while 'Dress-up' clothes and props can also be beneficial for cognitive and social development, board games with rules specifically challenge and engage this age group in ways that are directly aligned with their developmental abilities and interests.