What is a Child Life Specialist?

Group 19

Support children in a medical setting by...

addressing their emotional, social and developmental needs through a variety of strategies and techniques.  Their compassionate and specialized approach helps children regain a sense of control and build resilience during challenging healthcare experiences. 

 

Key ways they provide support:

Emotional Support

  • Offer a safe space for children to express fears and emotions.
  • Help children develop coping strategies tailored to their age and personality.
  • Provide comfort and reassurance during medical procedures.

Therapeutic Play

  • Use play as a tool to normalize the hospital environment and support child in reaching continued development goals.
  • Provide activities like arts and crafts, role-play, or medical play to reduce stress.
  • Facilitate group play sessions for social interaction when possible.

Preparation and Education

  • Use age-appropriate language, visual aids, and models to explain medical procedures or treatments.
  • Help children understand what to expect, reducing fear of the unknown.
  • Teach coping techniques to support in participation, feelings of control, and maintain sense of calm during treatment or procedure.

Distraction and Pain Management

  • Serve as the support person for a child during something stressful or painful.
  • Engage the child in distraction to help decrease pain and stress.
  • Guide child through use of non-pharmacological pain reduction strategies. 

Family Involvement and Support

  • Educate parents on how to support the child during hospitalization.
  • Provide support and education to siblings.
  • Offer counseling for family members who may also be struggling emotionally.

Advocacy

  • Act as a liaison between the child, family, and medical team to ensure that the child’s psychosocial needs are met.
  • Advocate for changes in care plans to minimize trauma or fear.

Support During Bereavement or End-of-Life Care

  • Provide age-appropriate grief support for children facing loss or experiencing terminal illness.
  • Help families create meaningful experiences and memories during difficult times.

Benefits of Using a Child Life Specialist

  • child is prepared and educated on what to expect during a medical appointment or procedure
  • reduced trauma, fear, or anxiety child or family members have about the medical experience
  • medical jargon is broken down to age-appropriate levels for child and family members
  • parents learn their child’s developmental needs and develop positive parenting strategies
  • child learns to advocate for themselves in medical settings

“Child Life Specialists made a huge difference, I couldn’t have done it without them!”

– Mary Kate, 6yo, Wilm’s Tumor