Keeping the CHILD in children’s hospital

A medical appointment, procedure or hospital stay can be a stressful event for people of all ages. Luckily for Stollery kids and their families, the Foundation-funded Child Life department at the Stollery helps kids adjust to and understand hospitalization, treatment and illness — all while making sure kids still get to be kids.

Through a developmentally and psychologically appropriate, evidence-based approach, Child Life specialists use therapeutic play and education to reduce fear, anxiety and pain. From emotional support before and after stressful events, to music, art, pet therapy and more, Child Life specialists offer several services designed to make the hospital experience as positive as possible, not just for their young patients, but for their patients’ families as well.

In addition to bedside support, Child Life specialists offer fun programming for kids of all ages at the Hospital in both the Teen Room and at The Beach. From peer-to-peer play and holiday celebrations to celebrity and community group visits, the Teen Room and The Beach are non-medical spaces where nothing but fun happens.

Thanks to donors like you, we’ve been instrumental in supporting the Child Life team in enhancing the development and confidence of Stollery kids and their families from across Western Canada.