Helping kids be kids

Support for kids and families in hospital require about $1 million annually and rely 100% on donor funding.

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

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:

• Children’s Hospital TV (CHTV), the in-house TV station that provides free programming for all patients and broadcasts a live, daily show called The Good Day Show to engage and entertain kids in hospital.
• Music Therapy, which can bring a sense of calm and comfort to children and families in hospital and provide opportunities for healthy expression through singing, playing instruments, and movement.

• The Library Program that gives kids and families access to books and movies for all ages, resources on a range of topics related to child health that can help families better understand what their child is going through, and literacy programming. Stories provide a welcome distraction from the hospital experience, and books in over 20 languages give families with diverse cultural backgrounds a sense of belonging.
• The playroom with engaging and developmentally appropriate toys and a mini hospital environment to help kids understand the procedures they may experience. Play is the universal language for children. It is how they communicate, master skills, socialize, explore their environment, and is important for their development.
• Special celebrations held by Child Life, including holidays and activities, to provide distraction and help families make meaningful memories in hospital.
• Therapeutic Gaming and Technology which uses video games and game-based activities to support mental, emotional, and physical health. It helps kids build skills like problem-solving, stress management, and provides social interaction in an engaging and interactive way.