Child Life Services: how to make your child’s hospital stay a better experience

Question: What are Child Life Services?

Answer: Child Life Services provide support to children and their families during healthcare experiences. They are trained professionals who help reduce stress, anxiety, and fear when dealing with medical conditions and promote healthy coping and emotional well-being.

Question: Why are Child Life Specialists important?

Answer: Medical environments can feel overwhelming, especially for kids. Child Life Specialists utilize developmentally appropriate tools to help children understand what’s happening, feel more in control, and cope more confidently. This support often leads to better emotional outcomes and even improved healing. At Idaho Falls Community Hospital, we are committed to continually improving your child’s hospital experience by providing compassionate, family-centered care that addresses not only medical needs, but emotional and developmental well-being as well.

Question: How do these specialists interact with children at the hospital?

Answer: Playing is at the heart of Child Life work. Specialists use play to help kids express emotions, learn about their medical care, and feel a sense of control. They may use models, books, or hands-on tools to explain upcoming procedures in ways children can understand. You will often see Child Life Specialists in the playroom, at a child’s bedside or even nearby to offer distraction and support while preparing for a procedure or surgery.

Question: Do they help during stressful moments?

Answer: Yes. Child Life Specialists offer support before, during, and after procedures to help children feel safer, calmer, and more empowered.

Question: How do Child Life Specialists support families?

Answer: Child Life Specialists extend support to the entire family. Specialists offer guidance and education to parents, siblings, and caregivers so everyone feels informed and confident.

Question: Can they help make the hospital experience more positive?

Answer: Yes! Child Life teams celebrate birthdays, holidays, and special moments. Their goal is to bring joy, comfort, and moments of normalcy to families during their hospitalization.

Dr. Aughney is a board-certified pediatrician with the American Academy of Pediatrics. He completed his pediatric training at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For more than 11 years, Dr. Aughney has been dedicated to serving the children and families of our community. As Medical Director of Pediatrics at Idaho Falls Community Hospital, he is proud to welcome Child Life Services, an important step forward in supporting children and families during what can often be challenging and stressful hospital experiences.