Child Life
Toni Millar
Director, Child LifeA child's needs in the hospital are similar to those at home--he or she needs to feel secure, comforted, and be able to understand what is going on around them. These needs are often magnified by the stress of illness and hospitalization. Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital's Child Life program provides emotional and psychosocial care to help make the hospital experience as manageable as possible for both the child and their family.
The Child Life staff consists of accredited professionals who apply their child development expertise to help children understand, cope with, and master their medical experiences. Child Life specialists recognize a child's reactions to the stresses of illness and medical procedures. This allows them to assess a child and family's individual psychosocial needs and provide appropriate interventions. These interventions include, but are not limited to, preparations for tests and procedures, coping strategies, and diversion during procedures, as well as play activities that help to normalize the environment. Activities, such as playing with toys, arts and crafts, video games and computers, can take place either at the bedside or in the Child Life Centers.
A variety of special events held in the Wintergarden are available to the patients and families. Children and their families can also view the live events in the Wintergarden through the GetWellNetwork.
Patients may encounter a visit from a cuddly dog from the pet-assisted therapy program, or a clown from the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit. Some patients participate in the Hospital's school program, offered by the New York City Board of Education and Education Inc. This program helps children to keep up their schoolwork while they are away from their classroom. Charna's Kids' Club is designed especially for siblings to minimize the anxiety and stress associated with having a brother or sister who is ill. Children enjoy arts and crafts, music, drama, special events, group games and activities, and will also be given help with homework.
The Child Life Centers are located on Tower 4, 5, and 6 units, and offer age-appropriate activities for children to use in the playroom or to borrow to use in their room. The Child Life specialist on your unit can tell you when the Child Life Centers are open. There is also a family lounge on each patient floor where families can bring in their own food to store and heat, and just relax.
Our goal is to meet the unique needs of your child and your family during his or her hospitalization. Please feel free to contact us if we can be of any further assistance.
Contact
- Child Life
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Directions
(212) 342-8579
