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Child Life Program Calms Kids' Fears
Every morning, specialists in the Child Life Program make their rounds through Children's Hospital in much the same way as the medical teams. But instead of stethoscopes, their primary tools for patient assessment are dolls. Child life specialists rely on Shadow Buddies - dolls that are designed for medical play - to help them prepare young children for medical procedures and explore medical equipment at their own level. This is just one of the many ways the Child Life Program gives kids control over their fears about being in the hospital. Funded entirely by the Children's Miracle Network, the Child Life Program creates a positive experience for children in the Pediatric and Adolescent units during their hospital visit, whether they're an inpatient or an outpatient. The program was developed nationally in the 1960s as a way to address the psychosocial and emotional needs of pediatric patients. "Before Child Life, the common practice was to keep kids in the dark about what was going to happen to them in the hospital," says Merideth Lehman, coordinator of the program. When the program began at University Hospital more than 30 years ago, a child care specialist was paired with a school teacher from the Columbia School District to help children overcome their fear of being in the hospital and to keep up with schoolwork during their stay. Today, a school teacher is still part of Children's Hospital, but the program's goals have expanded. "The Child Life Program provides an invaluable service," says Dr. John Berkenbosch of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. "The specialists distract kids from their illness and remind them that they are still kids." The program's four child life specialists and several students and volunteers staff the pediatric playroom, where children can interact with each other in a relaxed environment. A sign near the entrance to the playroom warns physicians and nurses that they're entering an area that's "just for having fun." Art activities and games are provided, as well as opportunities for the young patients to share their feelings about their hospital visit. Board games and card games are favorites among teens who spend time in the adolescent activity room. "We encourage teens to play games because it stimulates interaction," says child life specialist Jennifer Lineberry. "When teens are in the hospital for any length of time and separated from their friends, they need to be with other teens." Other activities focus on expressive art projects. There's a poetry board and a scrapbook for patients to leave words of encouragement or advice for those who follow.
Child life specialists also use medical play to prepare children for procedures such as inserting an IV or a blood draw. A procedure is demonstrated step-by-step so that the patients can see, hear and feel the medical equipment beforehand. This type of play reduces any misunderstandings children may have about what will occur. "No matter how scary a procedure might be to kids, they know it's real," says child life specialist Claire Linsenmeyer. "Deceiving kids or lying to them isn't the way to deal with their fears. We help kids cope with their hospital experiences, and that empowers them and gives them a sense of control." During procedures, children and teens use coping strategies taught to them by the child life specialists. "We are able to be with them during their procedure, and we give them 'special jobs,' such as seeing how long they can stay still," says Lehman. Other strategies include blowing bubbles, holding hands and such relaxation techniques as imagery and breathing exercises. Patient's families play an important part of the Child Life Program. The specialists offer support for parents and siblings, including ideas and techniques that aid children during their hospital stay and when they return home. "For the parents of infants, we show them how to hold their child in ways that comfort and relax," says Lehman.
Bereavement support also is available for families of children who are deceased. "This is a time to bring the whole family together to grieve so that they can continue with their lives," says Lehman. "We offer plaster-cast handprints of the child to help them remember." A highly visible part of the Child Life Program is the special events. Child life specialists host holiday celebrations and birthday parties throughout the year. "We have great parties here," says Lehman, "with plenty of decorations and activities." Patients and hospital staff members look forward to the costume parade every Halloween. The specialists also coordinate visits from community groups and charitable organizations. Although the Child Life Program mainly provides services for the Pediatric Unit, the Adolescent Unit, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Pediatric Short Stay Center, it also serves other areas of University Hospital, including the Emergency Center, the Burn Intensive Care Unit, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Women's Healthcare Unit. "Wherever there are children," says Lehman, "our program is there to help them and comfort them." |
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Child life specialist Claire Linsenmeyer, left, helps 4-year-old Makyla Harrison insert an IV into a Shadow Buddies doll.
Child life specialist Jennifer Lineberry (right) discusses an upcoming procedure with patient Amanda Padilla in University Hospital's Adolescent Unit. "We help kids through some pretty serious situations," says Lineberry, who's been with the Child Life Program for six years.
Sha'kara Hayes (left) spends time in the Pediatric Unit playroom creating a new purse before she's discharged from the hospital.
