Child Life Specialists
Who are Child Life Specialists?
Child life specialists are experts in child development, who promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. Child life specialists provide emotional support for families, and encourage optimum development of children facing many different challenging experiences, especially those related to healthcare and hospitalization. Understanding that a child’s wellbeing depends on the support of the family, child life specialists provide information, support and guidance to parents, siblings and other family members. They also play a vital role in educating caregivers, administrators and the general public about the needs of children under stress. Child life specialists have earned a minimum bachelor’s or master’s degree, with an educational emphasis on human growth and development, education, psychology or a related field of study. At St. Louis Children's Hospital our child life specialists are required to obtain the CCLS (Certified Child Life Specialist) credential, which is administered by Child Life Council (CLC). All Certified Child Life Specialists must complete a supervised 480-hour clinical internship, pass a national examination and adhere continued professional development standards in order to maintain their certification.
~Adapted from the Child Life Council Website
What are Some of the Services We Engage Patients and Families In?
- Developmental Play
- Therpeutic Play to Ease Anxiety
- Medical Play
- Normalization of Hospitalization, Hospital Environment and Routine
- Diagnosis Specific Education
- Preperation and Education regarding Healthcare Experiences including surgery and medical procedures
- Distraction and Alternative Focus During Medical Procedures
- Positions for Comfort
- Sibling Support
- Opportunities for Self Expression
- Emotional Support
- Faciliation of Peer Interaction and Support During Hospitalization
- Bereavment Support
- Adovacation for Patient and Family
- Coordianation of Special Events, CCTV programming, and other entertainment to energize and engage.
For more information about Child Life Specialists please visit The Child Life Council or Midwest Child Life Professionals Group
