Child LifeLeah Stapleton, Megan Greene,

Jennifer Clark

What is a Child Life Specialist?

• Population:

• Infants ( birth- 2)

• Toddlers (2-3)

• Preschoolers (3-5)

• School Age (5-11)

• Adolescents (11-18)

“Trained professionals with expertise in helping children and their families overcome life’s most

challenging events”. (Child Life Council)

Things we do:

• Provide children with support in the hospital by:

• Preparation for medical procedure/surgery

• Play (therapeutic, medical)

• Education (medical staff, families, children, community)

• Coping Techniques

• Distraction Techniques

• Emotional support (families and children)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrFzwpAhijE&list=PL17C690E84E7F8ADD&index=14

What is our Goal?

• Ease a child’s fear and anxiety with therapeutic and recreational play activities

• Foster an environment that incorporates emotional support

• Advocate for family-centered care

• coordinating special events, entertainment, and activities

• Sibling support

• Pre- Admission Hospital Tours

• Support families confronting grief and bereavement issues

Requirements of a CCLS

Course Work

• Applicants must have completed a total of 10 college-level courses in child life or a related

department/subject.

• Must complete a minimum of one child life course taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist

(Practicum at Georgia Southern)

Clinical Child Life Experience

• Applicants must complete a minimum of 480 hours of child life clinical experience under the

direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist who meets specific qualifications.

Minimum of Baccalaureate Degree

• Applicants must have either completed a bachelor’s degree, or be in the final semester of

study for that degree.

• In order to be Certified you must complete the certification exam administered by the Child

Life Council.

Information on Child Life

• Georgia Southern- College of Health and Human Sciences- School of

Human Ecology

• Child & Family Development/ Child Life Emphasis

• Child Life Organization at GSU

• Child Life Council – childlife.org

Camps

Being creative –

arts and crafts! Lots of Play –

teaching and

educationHaving fun in Child Life