History

• According to the Child Life Council, child life specialists became part of health care teams after the discovery that children facing long hospitalizations were often isolated, stressed and lonely. Therapists and teachers were brought into the hospitals to organize activities and schooling for the children. As child life programs gained popularity, more hospitals and medical schools encouraged child life specialists to become part of their health care teams.
  
  

Function

• The Mayo Clinic explains that the role of a child life specialist is to be an advocate for the needs of children and their families. Child life specialists focus on patient- and family-centered care, while providing opportunities for children to engage in meaningful recreational activities that promote feelings of growth, well-being and accomplishment.
  
  

Significance

• The American Academy of Pediatrics states that child life specialists positively impact pediatric care, possibly by reducing hospital stay lengths as well as the use of painkillers. It is also noted that children, families and health care providers are satisfied with the presence of child life specialists as part of the health care team.