Because physical and mental activities are an essential part of the healing process, the professional Child Life staff at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, work at the bedside and in playrooms to help patients have a positive experience during their hospital stay. The specialists provide group and individual guidance to patients and plan developmentally appropriate activities. Infants, school age and adolescent patients have age-appropriate play areas designed to support social and creative activities ranging from cooking to computers.

In addition to creative and therapeutic activities for inpatients, Child Life Specialists actively help patients and families prepare for surgery and procedures. Child Life Specialists are available to meet with families of both medical and surgical patients, conduct hospital tours and explain the upcoming procedures using dolls and terms children can understand.

They work with the care team to provide opportunities that promote normal growth and development, allowing patients some control over their hospital stay. Specialists also coordinate the ongoing education of long-term patients, including tutoring and schoolwork. The department is also responsible for managing the holiday activities for patients, as well as arranging the school, civic and celebrity tours that visit the hospital to meet the children.

What can Child Life offer you?

• Pre-Operative teaching and tours
• Family and sibling teaching and support
• Emotional support during procedures
• Developmental Assessments
• Age appropriate toys and activities in the playrooms
• Bedside Activities
• Medical play
• School teachers for qualifying patients
• Music and Pet Therapy
• Closed circuit TV

Volunteers assist the Child Life team with bedside visits and playroom activities (Link to Volunteer Department)

Child Life Department: (215) 427-5321

Child Life Internship Program

St. Christopher's Hospital for Children offers a full time extensive Child Life Internship program for students who are majoring in Child Life, Child Development, Education or a related field. Our nine member staff allows for rotations through various units including inpatients infant/toddler, school age and adolescent acute care, Oncology Transplant, Intensive Care, Cardiac Care, Special Care/Burn, Short Procedure, Hemodialysis and Emergency Departments. It enables the intern to gain knowledge about playroom policies and procedures, medical play, pre-operative teaching, treatment room interventions, medical terminology and age appropriate interactions with all pediatric age groups. The Child Life Services began at St. Christopher's in the 1950's and has been growing and expanding ever since. The hospital staff recognized that our services can help make it a more positive hospital experience for the patients and call on our staff frequently. If you are interested in applying for an internship, please send your resume to Vanessa Jeter, CCLS, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Child Life Services, Erie Avenue at Front Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134 .