Child Life Specialists Deliver Comfort & Joy

Play Helps Hospital Patients Heal

At WakeMed Children’s, the power of play is taken seriously by the dedicated team of child life specialists who incorporate play into patients’ care and help children and families cope with stress and anxiety while at the hospital.

“Kids need a healthy dose of play in their day,” explains Meghan Sanger, supervisor of Child Life Services at WakeMed Children’s “When they are sick or injured, that need doesn’t go away – play is a key part of the healing process because it supports cognitive, emotional, social and physical development.”

When health concerns take priority, hospitalized children often miss out on things they were looking forward to. This can be especially hard in the summer and during holidays. Kids can feel lonely and left out when they miss gatherings with friends and family.

Gifts donated during seasonal toy drives are used throughout the year to provide entertainment, relaxation, and most importantly, to provide a brief distraction from the not-so-fun part of being sick or hurt.

Toys, movies, games, crafts and books help child life specialists make play a priority. Sanger says the wish list items donated by the community make a world of difference in the patient play experience. 

“It means a lot to families that others have been thoughtful enough to donate a toy – it’s a wonderful way to help spread kindness and joy.”

How Child Life Specialists Support Families

You might spot members of WakeMed’s Child Life team in many different places throughout the hospital system, including the Children's Emergency Department, the Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Mental Health and Well-being, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Pediatric Rehab, Day Surgery and Endoscopy. 

“We are here to support the individual needs of children and teens and help introduce effective coping methods since being hospitalized can be as emotionally challenging as it is physically,” comments Sanger.

In addition to making sure kids have fun and get a chance to play and be a kid while in the hospital, child life specialists are also trained in creative, age-appropriate ways to teach patients about medical procedures.

“We help pediatric patients, siblings, parents and other caregivers in countless ways throughout the day,” syas Sanger. “The needs vary with age and specific health concerns, but one goal is the same – to infuse fun into their hospital experience whenever possible.”

This article is adapted from Families First. Subscribe here.