Child Life Services
Inpatient Units 955-5322
Outpatient Clinics 955-5312
CARES Unit 955-5305
 Imagine being told you have to have your tonsils removed next week…you might be nervous, but you would know what your tonsils are and why they need to be removed. Now imagine you're just 5 years old. Not only would you be nervous, but you may also be wondering "What are tonsils?" "How will they take them out?" "Did I do something wrong to have to go to the hospital?" "Is it going to hurt?" "Will I have to stay overnight at the hospital?"
For many children and families hospitalization and health care procedures bring new experiences, some of which may be stressful and frightening. Children often feel as if they have very little control and few choices in what goes on around them. In order to make hospitalization a positive and less stressful experience, we as Child Life Specialists strive to help alleviate stress and anxiety while promoting positive coping strategies.
The mission of the Child Life Department at Children's Hospital & Medical Center is to advocate for the psychosocial, developmental, emotional, and educational needs of our patients and families. The department strives to create an environment that is non-threatening and supportive as well as seek to empower children and families to make decisions affecting their care.
Our staff of certified Child Life Specialists are professionals with a Bachelor's Degree in child life, child development, human development, child psychology, or a related field and have successfully completed a child life internship under the direction of a Certified Child Life Specialist. The Child Life staff also includes an Art Therapist, a Resource Teacher, and Child Life Assistants.
Services for patients and families include:
- Normalization of the environment
- Preparation for medical procedures
- Emotional support and distraction during medical procedures
- Developmentally appropriate play activities in playrooms or at bedside
- Therapeutic play including medical play
- Sibling preparation and support
- Grief support and resources
Other Specialty Programs include:
Support Groups:
- diagnosis specific support meetings for patients and families
- Pet Therapy: weekly visits from trained therapy dogs and their owners
- Healing Environment: offers a variety of art activities & musicians to help patients cope with hospitalization
- School Re-Entry: prepares a patient's classmates and teachers for what to expect when their classmate returns to school
- Suitcase Program: provides preschool age children in the community an opportunity to have hands on experience with medical equipment
- Special Events: visitors and activities that promote normalization
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