Child Life Basics
This is the primary goal of Child Life Specialists when working with paediatric patients.
Reduce fear, anxiety, and stress
Before an IV start, Child Life often provides this to help the child understand what will happen
Procedure preparation
This type of play helps children become more familiar with the hospital environment for children.
Normative play
Child Life Specialists provides this type of support to parents/caregivers during stressful procedures.
Emotional support
Nurses can call Child Life Specialists for help with this common challenge during procedures.
Procedure anxiety
Child Life Specialists use this type of play to help children express feelings and cope with hospitalization.
Therapeutic play
Child Life might use this tool during a procedure to help with coping.
Distraction items (bubbles, light spinner, iPad, stress ball, etc.)
These services can help children express their coping in non-verbal, creative outlets.
Art therapy, music therapy, therapeutic clowns
Child Life Specialists can work with these family members if they are having a difficult time being separated from the patient.
Sibling(s)
iPads, toys, colouring materials, etc.
Child Life Specialists support these areas of the hospital.
Inpatient, outpatient, emergency department
Child Life uses this technique to explain medical equipment in a non-threatening way.
Medical play
Child Life Specialists might use this coping strategy might teach a child during a painful procedure.
Deep breathing, guided imagery
Volunteer
Child Life Specialists may advocate with nursing to reduce the need for this before procedures.
Sedation
Child Life Specialists study this area thoroughly in their academic training.
Child development
Child Life Specialists help patients develop this type of plan to promote limited stress and anxiety during a procedure.
Coping plan
This type of position is used as a coping strategy for patients who have a hard time keeping still during procedures.
Comfort position (comfort hold, blanket wrap, etc.)
Legacy building/memory making (hand prints, foot prints, hand molds).
Emotional safety
The professional organization that sets standards for the child life practice.
Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP)
When preparing a child for surgery, Child Life may use this visual tool to explain the sequence of events.
Social story or prep book
This person works closely with Child Life Specialists and their primary role is to ensure normative play opportunities and programming are available to patients.
Child Life Assistant
These spaces are around the hospital and can be utilized by patients and families who are not in isolation for normative play opportunities.
Family Spaces (Marnie's Lounge, Marnie's Studio, The Learning Centre, WAV PlayPark)
This can be done if you are ever unsure if child life can support a specific situation.
Page!!