Our Approach

Thanks to donor support, experts in child development are empowered to help more kids find effective ways to cope with fear and anxiety through the following programs and self-expression activities.

Expressive therapies like art, music, and dance movement give kids a voice, even if they aren’t able to speak. St. Louis Children’s Hospital child life specialists guide patients through creative exercises to maintain their physical, social, cognitive, and emotional well-being.

School programming ensures that patients are able to continue learning and keep pace with their peers. Resources include 1-on-1 tutoring, direct instruction, curriculum delivery, and school liaison services.

Inpatient playroom and teen lounge spaces give kids a place to relax and have fun away from their hospital room. Donor funding allows us to provide safe, supervised play areas that offer a wide variety of toys, books, and games for children of all ages.

Holiday celebrations help families with kids in the hospital maintain a sense of normalcy in their home away from home. Because of donor funding, patients can still look forward to celebrating milestones like birthdays, prom, and back-to-school season.