The Child Life Special
The Child Life Special
Toto, We’re Not in 
Kansas Anymore
Spending any amount of time in a hospital can feel like living in a different world for a child and their family. The sights are different, the smells are different, and the sounds are different. Many families are often unsure of what they are allowed to do, and even more so, their children recognize that this is not their typical space. And then suddenly, a child life specialist walks into the room. She or he begins to explain how to use the TV, how to access the gaming system, what the playroom hours are, and how to get the best snacks or treats. She also is carrying something in her arms that looks like it might be filled with fun goodies. As a child life specialist, I always introduced myself to my patients carrying a bag or pink hospital basin filled with goodies which I liked to call the “Child Life Specia
l.”
The Child Life Special
The Child Life Special is a child life specialist’s specialty! It is a collection of games, toys, coloring pages, and other fun goodies that welcome a child to the hospital, ease them into the strange environment, and allow the child life specialist to build and establish rapport with the patient. I would also try to include a coloring book and crayons, a selection of sensory materials, and of course, a soft stuffy to snuggle with. What alway
s made me smile was the look of wonder on my patient’s face when they dig into the bin and pull out goodie after goodie, their face sparkling as they finally get to touch and play with something they are familiar with.
Perfect for All Units
What is so great about the Child Life Special is that it can be easily adapted to any unit that a child life specialist works on. Child life specialists can easily determine which goodies are most popular in their area and customize the Special to meet the needs of those patients. Kids in the surgery center may only be waiting for a couple of hours versus kids on the inpatient unit who may be there for a few days. Kids in the emergency department don’t have a lot of space for lots of toys but definitely need play items to keep busy and distracted during long wait times. These items can also double as coping items, such as stress balls to hold during procedures. The Special can also be made for siblings when they visit their brother or sister in the hospital. I also would try to include education materials to help siblings learn about why their sibling is in the hospital.
A Perfect P
ick Me Up
While the Child Life Special is a great way to introduce child life services and build rapport, it can also be used for a child who is readmitted to the hospital or has frequent clinic visits. The Special can be customized to any child’s likes or ability to play at the time of their visit. The Special doesn’t always have to be filled to the top--rather, it should be filled with thoughtful items to help a child through a difficult time.
