When your child needs to come to our hospital, we make it part of their treatment to help them understand what is going on. Trained Child Life specialists from our Child Life, Creative Arts Therapies and Education Department at Advocate Children’s Hospital focus on your child’s emotional and developmental needs. We provide age-appropriate and therapeutic play, art therapy, music therapy, education, pet therapy and so much more.

Our certified Child Life specialists are trained to:

• Provide support, distraction and preparation for all types of procedures and tests.
• Help normalize your child’s day by encouraging play, offering social activities, and supporting continued connection with school, growth and development.
• Provide developmentally appropriate information to children, parents and siblings.
• Offer emotional support and education to you and your other children.

Education and preparation for you and your family

Our Child Life Program, Creative Arts Therapies and Education Program are dedicated to guiding your child and your family through the entire hospitalization process. Preparing for your child’s hospital stay can minimize stress for your whole family and provide comfort and reassurance to your child.

Packing for the hospital

We encourage parents to pack age-appropriate toys and games for their children to play with during their hospital stay.

• For infants, bring favorite pacifiers, lovies, blankets, rattles and toys.
• For toddlers, pack favorite stuffed animals, blankets, books, toys or any other comforting transitional objects.
• For preschoolers, bring books, puzzles, favorite stuffed animals, blankets or toys.
• For school-aged children and teens, pack movies, music, hand-held video games, books, toys and homework.

To minimize stress and uncertainty about a surgical procedure, our team provides pre-surgical information for your child. Please contact a Child Life specialist for more information. Our surgical video provides more information about what to expect when your child is scheduled for surgery.