Child Life Services
Child Life Services strives to normalize the hospital experience for children and families. Child Life Specialists help ease anxiety for children undergoing procedures by using age appropriate educational materials so that the child can see, feel, hear and touch things with which they will come in contact during their procedure or hospital stay.
What is a Child Life Specialist?
A certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) is a specially trained professional with a minimum of a Bachelors Degree or a Master's Degree in Child Life, Education, Psychology or other closely related field who has also completed an internship with a minimum of 500 hours under the direct supervision of a CCLS and passed the CCLS certification exam.
Child Life Specialists are skilled in:
- Providing developmental, educational and therapeutic interventions
- Facilitating coping
- Recognizing the developmental issues specifically related to health care experiences
- Advocating for family centered care and rights of the hospitalized child
Child Life Services at the Komansky Center
Child Life Services provides practical and emotional support to help children and families cope with the stress of hospitalization and procedures encountered during their visit. Some of the services offered by Child Life include:
Pre-Operative Preparation Programs: In these sessions, one of the Child Life Specialists familiarizes the child and his or her family with every aspect of the operation. To attend a session in our Pre-Operative Preparation Program, please call 212-746-9970.
Following your pre-operative preparation visit, please download and complete a pre- operative program evaluation form and fax this to 212-746-8256.
Download pre-op program evaluation form
Pain Management: When sedation cannot be used during a procedure, children are taught non-pharmacological pain management techniques so that they can have a sense of mastery over their experience.
Coping Techniques: Child Life Specialists teach children coping techniques, such as deep breathing and comfort holds with their parents, to help them feel more in control of their surroundings. Child Life Services also offer music therapy, pet therapy, and numerous other programs for children and their families.
Child Life Services also offer music therapy, pet therapy, and numerous other programs for children and their families.
Click here to learn more about Child Life Programs at the Komansky Center
Top Ten Reasons to Refer to Child Life Services
- Difficulty Coping
- Education of Illness/Injury (New Diagnosis)
- For Preparation Scheduled Procedures/ Surgeries
- Procedural Support/ Accompaniment
- Pain Management
- Death or Impending Death
- Medicine/Schedule Compliance
- Developmental Issues
- Frequent Admissions
- Sibling Issues
