Child Life Specialists
Child life specialists are trained professionals who help children cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury, disability and hospitalization. They are health care team members who focus on supporting the unique psycho-social, emotional and developmental needs of each child and family. BBCH child life specialists are bachelors or masters trained and maintain nationally-recognized child life certifications. Our team also includes a child life assistant who organizes daily activities and events in the inpatient unit playroom.
Child Life Services
Child life specialists collaborate with families and health care providers to help pediatric patients cope with health care experiences. Services include:
- Preparation for medical procedures or treatments using developmentally appropriate language and teaching dolls
- Providing support and distraction during medical procedures
- Introducing and supporting effective coping strategies to assist with medical experiences
The BBCH care team values the importance of play in a child’s development. Our child life specialists provide developmentally-appropriate opportunities for play and expressive activities. Play in the health care setting can include:
- Diversional and recreational activities to help normalize the hospital environment and provide entertainment and distraction
- Therapeutic play to facilitate self-expression, promote coping and support the achievement of health care goals
- Medical play to promote coping and mastery of health care experiences
If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of the child life team, please contact us at 207-662-2424 or childlife@mainehealth.org.
Child Life Internship Program
The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital Child Life Internship Program provides clinical opportunities and professional experiences required to enter the field of child life services. Our 15-week, 600-hour internship program prepares interns for the Child Life certification exam.
