Child
life is quickly and effectively changing the way children perceive the
hospital. With the implementation of child life services, patients and their
families are now getting the advocacy and compassion they deserve during their
time of need. Child life has recognized the needs of hospitalized children and
adolescents, as well as supplied the appropriate amount of attention to the
needs of the families involved. Child life goes beyond just fun and games.
Child life specialists take the time to assess the needs of each patient as an
individual, and then implement interventions that are developmentally
appropriate and beneficial to the patients well being. Interventions may be
implemented through ways of developmental play, medical play, psychological
preparation, and emotional support. With the implementation of these
interventions, Child Life Specialists are able to facilitate effective coping
habits and adaptive behaviors through general knowledge of the hospital
environment, reasons for their hospitalization, and opportunities to ask
questions and get clear answers. These opportunities also help maintain
individual patient’s feelings of competency and self-worth so that they are
able to have a better sense of mastery.
Child
life also recognizes the importance of play in the hospital setting. Children
have a tendency of letting their minds run wild, and while that is, often, such
an endearing and positive aspect of childhood, in a hospital setting, it can
also be the creator of fear and internal stress. For this reason, child life
specialists provide opportunities for play. These play opportunities may be a
chance for the child life specialist to observe misunderstandings or fears that
the child has about the hospital and/or their reasons for being there. Child
life will then be able to address these fears or misconceptions so that the
child will no longer be afraid. Play is also a chance to foster normal growth
and development. Through play, children can develop cognitively, socially,
emotionally, and physically. Furthermore, play will bring a sense of normalcy
into the hospital and children will hopefully gain comfort within their
surroundings.
Some Helpful Handouts
(Child Life Council)
(Arkansas Children's Hospital)
(Chris Evert Children's Hospital)
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