Child Life

CHEO makes every effort to make a child or youth's experience in hospital as positive as possible. Child life specialists help children and youth cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury, disability and hospitalization. They help make sure that life remains as normal as possible for children and youth while in hospital.

Child life specialists

Your child life specialist will:

Prepare children and youth for medical tests and surgery using age appropriate language and medical play materials to improve understanding of the hospital experience
Provide support and distraction during medical tests
Help children and youth understand and cope with a new diagnosis
Help children and youth learn coping skills to deal with the stress and fear of being in hospital
Offer normal and specialized play activities to strengthen self-esteem and independence in our playrooms and at the bedside
Assist siblings in understanding and coping with a brother or sister's hospitalization and/or diagnosis
Coordinate opportunities for school during extended hospitalizations
Offer programs such the needle fear workshop, pet therapy, and click (Child Life Interactive Computers for Kids)
Work in partnership with CHEO's therapeutic clown Molly Penny

Research

Research has shown that:

Children and youth who are prepared for medical procedures experience less fear and anxiety, and will have better long term adjustment to medical encounters
Children and youth in hospital who participate in therapeutic play with a trained professional show less emotional distress, increased cooperation, and fewer negative responses
Child life interventions can increase cooperation and help to minimize pain relating to a test or procedure
Offering support for family members creates a better outcome for young patients

Preparing your child for hospital experiences

In general coming to the hospital can be stressful for your child or youth and the whole family. Knowing what to expect will help everyone be better prepared.

Make sure to:

Be honest about what will happen. This helps your child or youth trust you and the CHEO staff. The truth is often less scary than what children are actually thinking
Ask questions and have your child or youth tell you what they know. This is a good way to find out what they are thinking so you can correct any misunderstandings
Avoid bribes and threats
Reassure them that it is ok to feel nervous or scared
Give your child or youth some control by giving age-appropriate choices: “which toy/activity would you like to bring?” Remember to only give choice when you are able to follow through

Preparation by age guidelines

These guidelines are based on age, and will help you prepare your child or youth for hospitalization.

Infants and toddlers (birth – 3 years)

Bring comfort items such as pacifiers, favourite toys or blankets. Infants and toddlers may react to changes in routine and after 8 months of age may have difficulty separating from caregivers. Tell the staff how you think your infant will react.

You can help by:

Rocking or holding your child
Talking calmly and gently
Distracting your child with toys or books
Using simple explanations such as, “the doctor is going to fix the bump on your tummy”

Preschool children (3 - 6 years)

Preschool children may believe that hospitalization is punishment and may not fully understand why the procedure or surgery is needed. You can help by:

Talking about the procedure 2-3 days ahead of time
Explaining only those things that they will see and experience. Too much detail can be confusing
Using play to help your child understand the procedure (toy medical kits, books)
Explaining that the hospital is a safe place and the staff are there to help us get better

School-age children (4-12 years)

School-age children have a basic understanding of how their body works. They need time and encouragement to ask questions and share their feelings.

You can help by:

Preparing your child by telling him/her why a procedure needs to be done, how it will be done, and how it may feel. Talk with your health care team if you need guidance
Encourage your child to express his or her feelings. It is normal for children to feel angry or frightened

Adolescents (12 - 18 years)

Youth are more independent and can become more involved in their own medical care. They may ask for detailed explanations regarding their hospital experience.

You can help by:

Being honest—they have the right to know everything that will happen
Encouraging them to ask questions of you or the health care team
Giving space so they can speak with the health care team on their own if they wish
Encouraging them to become active participants in their own health care

Tips and tools to help cope with hospitalization

Being in hospital can be difficult, especially if your child or youth is in pain due to a procedure or illness/injury. Sitting on a caregiver's lap can help ease young children's fear and provide comfort. During procedures, it is common for children to want to watch and doing so can provide them with a sense of control.

Coping strategies can help a child or youth deal better with medical procedures or pain. Children and youth need an opportunity to choose and practice a coping method.

Here are some ideas:

Bubbles: using bubbles can encourage deep breathing which will help lower stress and anxiety
Imagery: “Going to a favourite place” encourages your child or youth to think of positive experiences
Toys: helps distract your child
Books: reading together can help distract your child and encourages imagination
Music: music can be relaxing and soothing and helps relieve stress
Fidget toys/stress balls: allows your child or youth to focus energy elsewhere

Referrals

If you feel your child would benefit from child life services during a clinic visit or outpatient procedure please speak with a member of your health care team who can start the referral process.

For general inquiries about child life services at CHEO please call 613-737-7600 x 2321.

Visit the child life website for information on the profession.