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For Patients & Public Child Life Program

Welcome to Child Life

When children are hospitalized it can be a frightening experience for the child and the family. The University of Florida at Shands Jacksonville offers a Child Life Program to help children cope and adjust during their stay in the hospital. The mission of the program is to comfort and educate. The program dedicates resources to reduce the stressful or emotionally traumatic impact of hospitalization as it relates to the development, health, and well-being of pediatric-aged patients and their families.

Child Life Services in the Pediatric Intensive Care and General Pediatric Units

General Pediatric and Level One Trauma patients are treated in the Pediatric Units. Certified Child Life specialists help by planning therapeutic activities that promote education, play, and socialization. Medical play, art projects and games are used to encourage personal interaction and expedite the healing process.

Child Life Services in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides medical care to premature and critically ill newborns. Child Life services to the NICU include developmental, educational, and emotional interactions for medically fragile infants. Some of the major goals of care include helping infants remain calm, creating positive environments, building developmental skills, and educating families on their child’s growth.