Covenant Health Raises Awareness about Child Life Specialists
Every year hundreds of children are affected by difficult or unexpected experiences including chronic illness, hospitalization, the death of a loved one, violent acts or natural disasters. Child life specialists are experts in child development and promote effective coping through traumatic situations for children. March is Child Life Awareness Month and Covenant Health would like to raise awareness about the importance of child life specialists. Covenant Child Life Specialist Amy Peck discusses how child life professionals help children and their families overcome life’s most challenging events.
•Child Life specialists promote effective coping through play, preparation, education and self-expression activities.
•They also provide emotional support for the families and encourage optimum development of children facing challenging experiences related to health care and hospitalization.
•A few coping methods used for families are to advocate for family-centered care, advocate for the patient, provide information and resources to the family and include them in preparation and procedures.
•Because child life specialists understand that a child’s well-being depends on the support of the family, they provide information, support and guidance to parents, siblings and other family members.
•They also play a vital role in educating caregivers, administrators and the general public about the needs of children under stress.
•The biggest medical issues child life specialists focus on are the psychosocial needs of children and collaborating with parents and other members of the team to: -Ease a child’s fear and anxiety with therapeutic and recreational play activities -Foster an environment that incorporates emotional support -Encourage understanding and cooperation by providing non-medical preparation and support for children undergoing tests, surgeries and other medical procedures -Advocate for family-centered care -Engage and energize children and families by coordinating special events, entertainment and activities -Consider the needs of siblings or other children who may also be affected by a child’s illness or trauma -Direct pre-admission hospital tours and resources and consultations with outpatient families -Support families confronting grief and bereavement issues
•Parents should watch for any emotional signs and signs of physical illness: -Depression, withdrawal, no appetite, etc. -Fever, vomiting, lethargy, etc.
•The best way to prevent child illness is to keep a clean environment, stay current with their immunizations and make sure they have good hygiene and wash their hands.
•Children process information around them differently than adults, and therefore have distinct needs for managing the effects of stress, illness and trauma. Without the assistance of a specialist, children may experience emotions such as fear, shame, confusion and loneliness. These emotions can inhibit their natural development and have lasting negative effects on their well-being.
•Child life specialists help a child cope by: -Talking to them and explaining what is happening in regards to their treatment -Using soothing voices -Using comfort items such as blankets, pacifiers and stuffed animals -Distracting them or using play therapy such as bubbles, windmills, distraction toys and music.