Child Life Specialists Help Every Child's Hospital Experience Be a Positive One

At Blank Children's Hospital, the child life staff provides many valuable services to young patients and their families. Educated in child development, the child life specialists' primary focus is to make the healthcare experience positive for the child through the use of developmentally appropriate techniques.

Certified child life specialists foster healing and recovery by helping children deal with the fears and emotions that often accompany a visit to the clinic, emergency room or the hospital. They use dolls, toys and other child-friendly education to help children better understand the medical procedures they will undergo. They also help put children at ease during procedures by telling stories, blowing bubbles, listening to music and other activities. This helps distract and empower children as they cope with medical procedures in positive ways.