Child Life Program
The hospital can be a stressful place for children. Phoenix Children's Child Life Program helps patients of all ages – and their families – develop ways to cope with fear, anxiety, and separation from home and school. Our staff works closely with family members during hospitalization. As the medical staff is attending to the child's physical needs, our Child Life Specialists are attending to the child's developmental, psychosocial, educational, and emotional needs – which can be critical in the treatment and healing process.
Our specialists know it's important for kids to be kids – even when they're in the Hospital. To learn more about how a Child Life Specialist can help your child, please ask your nurse.
What:
The Child Life Program helps patients and families cope with fear, anxiety, and separation from home and school during their hospital stay.
Why:
A national study at Phoenix Children's Hospital proved that children exposed to a Child Life Program experienced less emotional stress, displayed more effective coping, and showed a greater understanding of the hospital experience.
How:
Approaches from a developmental perspective for procedural preparation, specific coping strategies, and medical play reduce children's anxieties and support healing during hospitalization and illness.
Who:
There are 12 Child Life Specialists, five Child Life Assistants, and four full-time school staff in the program.
Where:
The Program is available in all inpatient departments of Phoenix Children's Hospital, Arizona's leader in pediatric care and one of the 10 largest free-standing children's hospitals in the nation.
- Your child needs help understanding the hospital
- Your child is worried about a test or procedure
- A brother or sister is upset about a sibling's hospitalization
- You're looking for play and activity ideas
- You need information about your child's development
- You need help with child-friendly explanations of hospital experiences
The patient isn't the only person who is affected by the hospitalization. Brothers and sisters may also be concerned, and may even feel left out. They are welcome to visit during the hospital stay or send photos or draw pictures for their sibling's room. It is important for siblings to understand the nature of the Hospital and their brother or sister's illness. If you need suggestions or would like to speak with a Child Life Specialist call (602) 546-2273.
Child Life assistants supervise all playrooms, and plan crafts and other special activities. Playrooms are located on the first, second and fourth floors. All playrooms are open to healthy brothers and sisters, when they are with an adult. Each playroom is open Monday through Friday.
- 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Weekend and holiday hours may vary, please check with the playroom in your area.
Designed just for kids, playrooms offer a child-friendly atmosphere filled with arts and crafts, movies, and toys for all ages. Patients have access to portable PS2 and Gamecube systems on mobile carts that may be moved into your child's room. Children and teens may borrow board games, craft activities, books, and other items for the playrooms and Teen Room to take back to their rooms.
The Teen Room is available for patients and siblings ages 10 and up. It is on the third floor and has music, video games (Xbox 2 and PS2), computers with Internet access, and air hockey. Only patients over the age of thirteen may visit during non-program hours. Child Life Assistants offer planned group activities Monday through Friday.
- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- 2:30 to 5 p.m.
The Child Life Department often hosts special entertainment activities and celebrity visits for patients and families. Watch for informational flyers posted near playrooms.
At this time, our Child Life Internship program is being redesigned, and will be available again for the fall semester of 2010. If you have further questions about this process, please call (602) 546-1742.
