Child Life Interventions & Resources

Teddy-Bears-On-Call help provide stuffed animals for patients in the Emergency Department. This teddy is showing kids what a "trauma room" looks like.

Teddy bear X-Ray with a broken arm. The bear also has a "cast" to match the patient's broken arm.

IV preparation on an action figure! Allowing the child to manipulate all supplies needed for an IV start; for normalization through play and a developmentally appropriate explanation of the process.

3D printed CT/MRI. Utilized in preparation for children needing a CT or MRI. The bed slides in and out of the "donut hole," which allows for children to play through their understanding and worries.

Chest tube education on a doll for a patient who woke up from surgery with a chest tube without knowledge of what it is and why it was needed.

Aladin undergoing a mask induction for a surgery. The mask can be manipulated and played with by the child. Even blowing bubbles through the mask which allows for normalization, as well as engaging in deep breathing exercises.

Suture/Stitches preparation tool. Used as a visual aid in explaining how the "bandaid string" will close the cut, sometimes giving the child "kitty whiskers" at the end.

IV preparation on a puppet followed with finger painting to process emotions.

Worry Wand created to use as physical object to "wave when you're worried." Prompting additional education or coping support in the moment.

Medical coping catcher - Front

Medical coping catcher - Inside. Utilized as a way to support patients in building their coping "toolbox."

All About Me variation with arts & crafts "loose parts."

A project utilized to get a deeper understanding of the patient and what makes them unique while also providing yourself with affirmations.

Journal with prompts and activities. Allowing for writing narratives, drawing pictures, and creating a space to move forward in life no matter what stage you are in.

Rock painting designed to portray the patient's current mood and/or feelings. Courage: even though the lion from The Wizzard of Oz is a "big, strong lion" we can have a soft inside and be "strong and soft" at the same time.

Marble art created for patients to pick out 2-3 colors that represent their feelings/mood. Showing all emotions can be present and beautiful in their own way, like the painting.

Scratch art craft for children to express their feelings. Proof preparation & education can give children confidence and build trust within the hospital setting. :)

May Day Basket craft to help patients ambulate & reach discharge goals.

Bead art butterfly utilized with a patient who had a goal of utilizing fine motor skills.

Holiday card making utilized to provide a normative craft during the holiday season.

ACUTE Eating Disorder Unit Binder I designed to allow for quick access to coping & therapeutic activities.

*Blackout Poetry: doodling/drawing and blacking out letters/words to create a personalized poem *Coping Catcher: made by the patient and utilized to explore coping ideas

*I am a Wonderful Person!: Implemented to encourage patients to articulate what makes them special. Often times hung up in the patients room for a reminder to the patient to be kind to themselves and how they're wonderful. *All About Me Puzzle - designed to allow patients to visually portray all the different pieces of themselves that make them who they are.

*My Feelings: diving deeper into their feelings while hospitalized, typically for weeks to months. Utilizing colors to express how often they have had these feelings. *Finish the Picture: engaging the creative mind, at times paired with music which depicts a mood theme and allow their creative mind to be explored.

*Roll and Respond: a fun ice breaker for introductions *Gratitude Prompts: journaling with or without the CCLS. Can be utilized as a narrative or drawing/doodles

*Titanic Activity: write/draw what people see on the outside above water. Write/draw in white crayon what people might not see/know about you and follow with watercolor paint brushed to reveal the secrete message. *Color/Shape Breathing: breathing exercises for relaxation and coping support.

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