Child Life Services

Our Child Life team is dedicated to providing exceptional care throughout Beaumont Health by decreasing emotional trauma and anxiety while supporting development. Our team will demonstrate respect and compassion in every interaction ensuring that all families are able to cope effectively with the challenges of the health care environment.

We're also committed to promoting play, education, advocacy, support and building therapeutic relationships. Using the latest research trends in the field, Child Life will celebrate individuality and diversity. Making your child as comfortable as possible during your visit is a priority for all Beaumont Children's team members.

Certified Child Life Specialists are trained professionals in the developmental impact of illness and injury. Child Life Specialists help infants, children, youth and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of acute and chronic illness, injury, trauma, disability, loss and bereavement.

Child Life Specialists provide evidence-based, developmentally and psychologically appropriate interventions including therapeutic play, preparation for procedures, and education to reduce fear, anxiety, and pain. Child Life Specialists work with the entire family in an effort to meet the needs of patients, siblings, and parents alike to promote a culture of family-centered care throughout all hospital encounters.

Children's Miracle Network Garden events

Beaumont's unique Children's Miracle Network Garden is a 4,000-square-foot glass enclosed area open to pediatric and neonatal patients and their families. This beautiful space has state-of-the-art entertainment technology and a whimsical child-friendly atmosphere. Children can play video games, watch movies or relax in the garden with family. The garden includes a large lending library with books for all ages. The "outside" feel of the space brings an important element of healing to all the special children we serve. Child Life Services hosts numerous events in the garden, including:

• Movie nights - Families enjoy a "night out" watching a new movie in our beautiful Children's Garden, created through funding from Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. This popcorn-filled event brings welcome relief from the typical hospital routine.
• Parties - Holidays, ice cream socials and pajama parties bring fun and joy to children who may be missing these activities at school or with their friends at home.
• Spa nights - Taking care of yourself as a parent is so important when your child is in the hospital. These relaxing events offer special care to help parents and children feel more relaxed. Activities include paraffin wax treatments, manicures and light touch facials.

Music therapy

For children, the hospital can be a scary place. The Music Therapy Program at Beaumont Children’s minimizes this disruption by providing a safe and fun atmosphere for children to be themselves. Our board-certified music therapist provides music therapy services upon referral to patients and families during their hospitalization. The music therapist collaborates directly with the patient’s care team to provide personalized music therapy interventions to assist in the patient’s non-musical goals during their hospitalization.

Music therapy helps patients and families:

Art Therapy

Beaumont Children’s is dedicate to improving the healthcare experience for children and families by integrating arts into the hospital setting. Art therapy provides an additional layer of support for patients during their hospital stay through strengthening their physical and emotional strength. Our art therapist offers group and individual sessions designed to encourage creative expression during their hospital stay.

Benefits include:

Hospital School Program

We believe that school doesn’t need to stop because a child is hospitalized. Beaumont Children’s offers on-site services for any school-age child (K-12) to help bridge the gap between school and the medical team.

Our hospital school program is led by a Michigan-certified teacher who provides educational opportunities and academic support services specific to each child’s unique needs. Liaison services include collaboration with your child’s community school to assist with meeting academic milestones.

Group school time is offered throughout the week to give children hands-on learning activities, homework support and the opportunity to meet new friends. Tutoring services are offered in the hospital garden or at your child’s bedside, depending upon your child’s medical needs. Providing on-site school services while your child heals will reduce future academic concerns and give you and your child a sense of normalcy during medical treatment.

Medical play, preparation and procedural support

Child Life Specialists help children understand hospital experiences through non-threatening play. They put on educational and fun sessions in which children learn coping skills and feel more prepared for their upcoming medical procedures.

Playroom activities

• Group Games - Beaumont Children's patients get to participate in BINGO, trivia, board games, Uno tournaments and more, which helps them feel playful and motivated.
• Creative Arts - Beading, journaling, painting and other activities give children a chance to create and express their feelings through the artistic process. Children share stories and develop bonds with other patients experiencing similar challenges.

Book cart

Stocked with books for children of all ages, our book cart visits patient rooms up to five times each week. Children can select one or more books to enjoy during their time in the hospital and are welcome to take them home when they leave.

Keepsake programs

Children collect beautiful beads that represent their unique hospital experiences. These keepsakes stand as a testament to the strength and courage that children demonstrate during health challenges. Parents in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) also participate in our bead program. Beads representing each baby's "firsts" help parents share and remember important moments in the NICU.

Surgical tours

Children who are prepared for surgical procedures generally feel less anxiety and cope better with the experience. For this reason, we offer surgical tours twice a month. A Child Life Specialist shows the child and his or her family where the surgery will take place and what they should expect. Email us for more information or watch our pediatric pre-surgery education video.

Video games and movies

Xbox 360 games and children's movies provide hours of comfort and entertainment for children, from right in their own hospital beds.

Reach Out and Read

The national Reach Out and Reach literacy program brings new books to children during health maintenance visits. Through the program, Beaumont Children's Hospital doctors encourage reading and promote a love of books, even among our smallest patients.

Patient and family centered care

The Child Life team recognizes that families are integral to healing and should participate fully in health care experiences. Child Life offers support to parents and siblings through participation in all offerings and special programs just for brothers and sisters.