Child Life Services
The Child Life Services strives to normalize the hospital experience for children and families. Child Life Specialists help ease anxiety for children undergoing procedures by utilizing 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.
Our Staff
The Child Life Staff at The Komanksy Center for Children's Health is composed of Certified Child Life Specialists – specially trained individuals with a minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Child Life, Education, or another related field who have completed an internship of 480 hours or more – Recreation Therapists, and a Licensed Music Therapist. There are also opportunities for Child Life interns and specially trained volunteers. Services are offered on the pediatric inpatient unit, the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), the pediatric outpatient clinic, at the pediatric Emergency Medicine Division, the William Randolph Hearst Burn Unit, and on call to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), operating room (OR), radiology, and other areas within the Hospital where there is a need.
Related Services
These include:- Pre-operative Classes: Sessions are arranged with one of the child life specialists so that the child and his or her family become familiar with every aspect of the operation. To schedule a visit, please call 212-746-3518. Following your pre-operative visit, please download and complete a
pre-operative program evaluation form and fax it back to us at 212-746-8256. Thank you.
- Pain Management: When sedation cannot be used during a procedure, children are taught non-pharmacological pain 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.
Big Apple Circus/Clown Care Unit SM
Specially trained clowns come in 3 days a week and do "Clown Care Rounds" with children on all the pediatric inpatient units, and several outpatient clinics, bringing laughter and joy. Afterall, laughter is the best medicine!
Read more about the 
Big Apple Circus/Clown Care UnitSM
Once week a clown show is provided in the inpatient pediatric playroom. Once a month a musician comes in and plays for the children in the playroom and at their bedside.
Read more about the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation
Weekly visits from trained therapy dogs visit the children in the playroom and at their bedside.
The Creative Center
An artist comes in weekly to work with children who are diagnosed with cancer, in the Hematology/Oncology outpatient clinic, at bedside, and in the playroom.
Starworks
The Creative Writing Center is staffed by interns who use creative writing as a tool to help children and teens express themselves.
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
Helpful Links
For more information about Child Life Services, please visit www.childlife.org.
For local child life programs, please visit www.clgny.com.
