A day in Child Life: How they work with the youngest patients

Hospitals can be scary places for children. Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital has a team of certified child life specialists (CCLSs) who help children feel comfortable and safe—to help them understand that the doctors and nurses want to help them get better.

While their days may seem filled with toys, games and a whole lot of Play-Doh, the role of a child life specialist is so much more.

“Child life addresses the psycho-social, emotional, and developmental needs of pediatric patients and families in any kind of health care setting,” said Ashley Kane, Child Life manager.

Child life specialists are constantly on the go and reprioritizing when things do not go as planned.

To explore a day in Child Life, check out this Penn State Medicine article.

If you're having trouble accessing this content, or would like it in another format, please email Penn State Health Marketing & Communications.