Child life specialization

Making hospitalization more positive.

The child life profession strives to make hospitalization a more positive experience. A child life specialist prepares children, youth and families for life-altering events and upcoming procedures.

Child life also promotes coping through various interventions to help children, youth and families with stressful events. Providing play and other normal activities can help with this coping process.

Child life programs work to meet each family’s unique emotional and social needs. The specialization builds from core courses that offer strong communication theory and practice skills that facilitate work with individuals, families and communities.

Services of child life programs

Child life programs typically offer several services to address the social and emotional needs of children, youth and families, including:

therapeutic and recreational play opportunities
age-appropriate activities and explanations
preparation before, and support during and after, stressful events
opportunities for peer socialization
coping techniques, such as distraction, breathing, or relaxation techniques, for procedures
coordination of holiday events, entertainment and special visitors
advocacy for family-centered care
assistance with school re-entry

Requirements

In addition to core courses you'll need to complete CYC 461 and CYC 410 within a child life setting.

If you've successfully completed CYC 461 and all other prerequisites for a fourth year practicum, you'll be eligible to apply for a child life placement. Positions are limited.