Child Life Program

When a child goes to the hospital, the experience can be stressful for everyone in the family. Child Life Specialists at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children can help reduce the stress associated with your child’s health care experience.

Child Life is a program designed to meet the psychosocial and emotional needs of children and families during hospitalization.  Through supportive and educational services and activities, Child Life Specialists promote positive coping while aiding patients and families in their adjustment and understanding of the entire hospital experience.

What Is a Child Life Specialist?

A Child Life Specialist is a professional who is specifically trained to help children and their families understand and manage challenging life events and stressful health care experiences. They are skilled in providing developmental, educational, and therapeutic interventions for children and families under stress. Child Life Specialists support growth and development while recognizing a family’s strengths and individuality and well as respecting different methods of coping.

Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) have earned a Bachelor's or Master's degree, and have an educational background that includes human growth and development, education, psychology, and counseling. They are required to complete an internship program and a rigorous application and examination process. Child Life Specialists are certified through a program administered by the Child Life Council (CLC). For more information on the Child Life Council, please visit www.childlife.org.