Child Life & Creative Therapies
Learn More About Child Life & Creative Therapies
The mission of the Child Life and Creative Therapies team is to provide therapeutic, supportive, and educational interventions to help children and families make the most out of the hospital experience. The team focuses on evidence-based practices and research to provide the most supportive care possible to patients and families.
Child Life Specialists and Music and Recreation Therapists help patients understand the hospital experience through:
- Education
- Preparation
- Alternative pain management support
- Play
- Creative expression
- Peer interaction
The goal of the Child Life and Creative Therapies team is to make the medical experience a positive one. With patient and family-centered care as the focus, we work together to treat the child and family as a whole.
Our specialists and therapists use play, recreation, and music to provide opportunities for patients that encourage coping skills, growth and development, socialization, and expression of feelings. The hospital also has play and teen rooms that provide developmentally appropriate and engaging activities throughout the day. Monthly scheduled events such as ZOOmobile, Funny Bones, Bugmobile, BINGO, yoga and a variety of other activities offer patients and families the opportunity to enjoy their stay in the hospital.
Tips for Preparing to go to the Hospital
Playroom
The playroom offers a welcoming environment where hospitalized children ages 0-12 can gather to play with toys, participate in board games, video games, or arts and crafts. It allows patients the opportunity to get out of their room and be a kid. The playroom is a medical and procedure-free “safe zone” where patients are encouraged to make their own choices.
Teen Room
The Teen Room is a place for hospitalized teens, ages 13-21 “hang out”. This room is specifically designed to meet the needs of teen and young adult patients. The teen room is outfitted with music, movies, video game systems, computers, and a variety of interesting arts and crafts.
Evening activities
Visits from furry friends with the Visiting Pet Program is offered on Monday evenings and is coordinated through the Child Life and Creative Therapies Department.
Call 504.896.9350.
