Helping kids be kids

Being a kid in hospital can be tough, but important programs run by members of the Child Life team help provide purposeful and fun opportunities for distraction and play to help kids while in hospital. Child Life Programs include:

CHTV

Children’s Hospital TV is a closed-circuit television station that reaches all patient rooms. Every weekday kids can watch the Good Day Show, hosted by NoName, the hardest working sock-puppet in town. The Good Day show features interactive games, activities, shout-outs to patients, and special guests – giving kids something to look forward to. Age-appropriate shows and movies are also available throughout the day on CHTV.

Playroom

Play is the universal language for children. It is how they communicate, master skills, socialize, explore their environment, and is a large piece of their development. The main playroom is filled with toys, games, electronics, craft/art supplies, and mini hospital environments where dolls can practice for tests like MRIs before their kids have them.

Music therapy

The music therapy program can bring a sense of calm and comfort to children and families in hospital and provides opportunities for healthy expression through singing, playing instruments, and movement to the music. The gentle strumming of the guitar paired with a soothing voice is just what the doctor ordered.

Library program

Reading books and other library materials may help lower the stress of hospitalization by providing the patients or their caregivers and family members with choices, distraction, comfort and information. The library program offers many different services:

• The library staff supports patients and families in hospital by providing one-on-one and group reading sessions.
• The Book Corner lending library offers books, DVDs, and magazines for all ages. The book cart delivery service with these items is offered multiple times a week.
• The Family Information Library is filled with resources on a range of topics related to child health that can help families better understand what their child is going through.
• The Children’s Hospital REsident for reADing (READ) literacy program provides families with free, developmentally appropriate books to encourage literacy from a young age.

Child Life programing relies 100% on donor funding.

If funding goals are achieved, additional dollars will be allocated to the area of greatest need.