Child Life Services
309-624-0229
我们的儿童生活专家收到具体training and education to help children and families reduce the stress of hospital visits, health care experiences, and procedures. Children need to understand what is happening to them. A child life specialist can help patients understand their experiences and feelings through play, education, and support.
Child life services include:
- Preparing children for procedures or medical treatment using language they understand and/or medical play activities
- Introducing coping strategies to help reduce anxiety and enhance cooperation with the health care team
- Providing support and distraction during medical procedures
- Offering play and expressive activities to encourage normal development and a sense of fun in spite of challenging circumstances
- Promoting family-centered care by providing information, advocacy, and support to families. This includes supporting the siblings of patients during a hospital experience.
- Maintaining playrooms in our inpatient and surgery areas. These playrooms are open to families throughout their hospitalization.
- Child life assistant provides specially organized playroom activities at various times in our inpatient units
Is your child scheduled for surgery at the children’s hospital?
We recommend a pre-operative tour. Call309-624-0231to schedule your tour or learn more!
- The free tour helps familiarize children and families with the surgery process and increase children’s comfort on surgery day. This tour is ideal for children ages 3-12.
- If you are unable to make a tour prior to surgery, we encourage you and your child to view this pre-operative informational tour video as an alternative.