Every single child is unique. And, when facing a medical experience, every child and their family will have different needs. Our Child Life Program is dedicated to helping each child have the best healthcare experience possible through education, play and personalized support.

Play is an important part of children’s lives — it’s how they learn about the world around them. During times of stress, such as hospitalization, play and learning can provide a safe and familiar outlet for a child’s or teen’s emotions and fears.

Our certified Child Life Specialists have received specific training on ways to help children and teens have positive healthcare experiences.  They focus on reducing the stress and uncertainty of a medical encounter by providing individualized care — including play and learning — based on each child’s age, development, background, temperament and past medical experiences. 

Some of the ways our Child Life Specialists work with children and teens to promote positive experiences and quality outcomes include:

• Providing education to children prior to surgery, a medical procedure or new diagnosis
• Breaking down complicated medical procedures and information into ideas children can understand
• Supporting and coaching children during a painful procedure
• Helping children process their emotions and fears through play

Services such as these can help kids build healthy coping skills that will serve them not only during their experience at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer, but for future healthcare visits as well.

For more information about our Child Life Program, please call (321) 841-1479.

Professional Child Life Resources

If you are interested in learning about the child life profession, visit the Association of Child Life Professionals at childlife.org.

Student opportunities for Child Life Specialist training are offered at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies  through both a practicum experience and Child Life internship. These opportunities occur during spring, summer and fall rotation schedules and include exposure to various units within the hospital according to the curriculum module guidelines and minimum number of hours set forth by The Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).  Visit our Child Life Internship page for more information.