Child life specialists
Child life specialists are dedicated to meeting the growth and developmental needs and enhancing the coping skills of infants, children, and adolescents while they are in the hospital.
Child life staff is available to:
- Use real and pretend medical equipment during play to help children understand what will happen during a procedure.
- Teach children coping techniques so they can calm themselves during procedures. For example, children can take slow, deep breaths, count or sing their favorite song. More here on tips for helping children manage pain.
- Will help distract children during procedures with such items as bubbles, rain sticks, books and view masters.
- Provide toys and other bedside activities
- Help families adjust to the hospital
- Provide playgroups and opportunities for peer socialization
- Consult with parents and staff on a child's particular needs while in the hospital
The child life team consists of:
- Child life specialists
- Expressive arts therapists
- Activity coordinators
- Child life interns and art therapy interns
Child Life volunteers often use the Robbie Fund Discovery Carts in the waiting areas of medical imaging and the blood lab to provide arts and crafts, puzzles and games for the patients and their families while they are waiting.
To contact the child life team please call 773.880.4000 and ask for ext. 2060. For information on the child life profession go to www.childlife.org .
Information on child life internships is available here.
Information on art therapy internships is available here.