Transforming the Pediatric Experience: The Story of Child Life

During the past century, child life programming has evolved into a standard of care for children experiencing life's most challenging events. From pediatric outpatient clinics and dentists' offices to funeral homes and courtrooms, children are now being provided access to professionals that relieve the anxiety and fear associated with emotional and physical pain. Recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics, child life specialists focus on the "strengths and sense of well-being of children while promoting their optimal development and minimizing the adverse effects of children's experiences in health care or other potentially stressful settings." Armed with a strong background in child development, child life specialists provide therapeutic play experiences and developmentally appropriate language to promote normalcy within an unknown and potentially stressful environment, procedural education and emotional support, coping and pain management techniques, and grief and bereavement support. Child life programming plays an integral role in addressing the psychosocial concerns across the health care continuum and should be included in all general pediatric provider settings as a standard of quality care for young patients.