For a child, the hospital can be a scary place full of strange sights, sounds and smells as well as unfamiliar people. Our Child Life Program specialists help to reduce these fears and create a positive healing experience for pediatric and adolescent patients at University of Missouri Children's Hospital.

Staff members are certified professionals with bachelor's and master's degrees in child life, child development, early childhood education and other related fields.  Child Life specialists are specifically trained and certified to address the emotional needs of hospitalized children and adolescents and to help them understand their hospital experience. 

Our specialists encourage children to participate in normal play activities. They support children and teens during procedures by teaching simple coping strategies and offer support to families to help children cope with hospitalization.

Use the Related Links menu to the left to learn more about all that the Child Life Program has to offer or for more information about the Child Life Program at MU Children's Hospital, please contact:
 
Angie Ball, Child Life Coordinator
University of Missouri Children's Hospital
404 Keene Street
Columbia, Mo. 65212
(573) 219-4264