Texas Children's child life program focuses on procedural teaching, support and advocacy for the kids. Child life members work in all areas of the hospital. They are an integral part of Texas Children's multidisciplinary team approach. While a doctor's or nurse's main focus might be on the child's medical treatment, child life members are there to ensure that the child's emotional, social and psychological needs are met. They take extra care to communicate with the child, the child's parents and siblings and to address concerns.
Information is important to the kids as well as the parents.
We help them understand what they are going through and why. Play is another important element child life members bring to the patient-care team. Many of Texas Children's child life specialists have assistants who provide play therapy for kids. The combination of procedural teaching and play therapy creates a balanced approach to working with young patients and their families. Texas Children's child life department also spearheads a number of community outreach programs.