Come experience our child life services
Child life staff promote healthy methods of emotional expression, encouraging patients to channel their feelings through play, dialogue, arts, crafts, music and other forms of expression. Child life and music therapy professionals at Children’s Minnesota partner with the whole family, including siblings, to foster a positive and supportive care experience.
Here are some people you may meet from the child life and music therapy department while at Children’s Minnesota:
Certified child life specialists (CCLS)
Certified by the Association of Child Life Professionals, child life specialists have professional training in child development, human development, psychology, family development or child life at the bachelor or master’s level. Child life specialists work closely with children to help understand their medical care and minimize stress through medical play, preparation and education, relaxation, mental imagery, and special events and activities.
Child life associates
Child life associates’ primary responsibilities are to provide patients with play and age appropriate activities that promote growth and development. They have a background in child development or psychology.
Music therapists (MT)
Music therapists use the clinical applications of music to facilitate movement and physical rehabilitation, engage patients and families in their treatment, and provide an outlet for creative and emotional expression. Certified through the Certification Board for Music Therapists, music therapists have a bachelor or master’s degree.
Healing arts coordinator
At Children’s Minnesota, we believe that the creative arts can assist in the healing process and enhance the overall health care experience for patients and families. The healing arts coordinator connects patients and families to the healing arts program with activities that provide positive distractions and encouragement through art. The coordinator has an extensive background in arts programming for children and a bachelor’s degree.
Medical Dog Program
Children’s Minnesota has four-legged medical dog-tors who work alongside Child Life staff to support patients. Our medical dogs are specially trained to help patients cope with medical conditions and work toward their treatment goals. Learn more about our medical dog program.
Contact us
Child life services are available at several campuses. Child life services may also be offered at WestHealth and Two Twelve Medical Center as a partnership with their emergency services.
