Book your first appointment

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Next Steps: Install the Survey Add-On

This form requires the Gravity Forms Survey Add-On. Important: Delete this tip before you publish the form.
Your name(Required)
This activity met the stated learning objectives.(Required)
This activity enhanced my knowledge.(Required)
This activity satisfied my expectations.(Required)
This activity conveyed information that applied to my practice.(Required)
Indicate which CanMEDS roles were addressed during this educational activity.(Required)
The presentation was effective, in general.(Required)
The content was relevant.(Required)
The speaker used effective teaching methods.(Required)

The Certified Child Life Specialists at the Montreal Children’s Hospital are trained professionals with backgrounds in child development, education and psychology. With extensive knowledge in evidence-based practices, coping techniques and family-centered care, Child Life Specialists assess a child’s susceptibility to stress and provide suitable solutions that are sensitive to the child’s needs. Their overarching goal is to ease discomfort and promote coping during hospital visits. 

Services

Our goals:

  • Reduce children and youth’s anxiety related to medical experiences
  • Prepare children and youth for upcoming medical procedures
  • Support and distract children and youth during treatments
  • Promote effective coping
  • Provide parent/caregiver support & education
  • Support the child and youth’s global development
  • Provide sibling support
  • Facilitate self-expression
  • Encourage the continuation of normal life experiences while in the hospital
  • Provide bereavement support

The growing child cannot afford to interrupt his cycle of living and growth; the hospital has to take on tasks beyond its primary healing function.

Emma Plank, Child Life pioneer

Team

Our team consists of 12 Certified Child Life Specialists. One team member is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor and all are required to continually advance in their practice through participation in professional development. Child Life Specialists are advocates for improved hospital environments and currently serve the following inpatient and outpatient settings:

If your child is scheduled for a hospital visit and you would like to inquire about Child Life Services, please call: 514-412-4400 ext. 22570


Internships


Programs

Affiliated programs

Dr. Clown

The Dr. Clown Foundation’s approach is focused on improving the quality of life of hospitalized children.  Twice a week, Dr. Clown visits patients in the hospital to create an atmosphere of imagination and fun. 

Pet Therapy

Therapy dogs offer unconditional love and friendship. In collaboration with Zoothérapie Québec, the Pet Therapy program provides children with an opportunity for social interaction, stress reduction and sensory stimulation. Like some of the other Child Life programs, pet therapy provides a way to normalize the environment and reduce the stress of hospitalization.

Note: Both physician and parental consent are required for patients to participate in this program.

Family Resource Centre & Library

It’s goal is to empower children, adolescents, caregivers & families with reliable and up to date health education and information resources. Please visit the Family Resource Centre & Library page!

We thank the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation for their kind funding of many of the programs mentioned above!


Resources

Preparation books

The following booklets provide a step-by-step visual guide to the exam or procedure process, using photos to help you and your child understand what to expect and feel more prepared.


Donating

If you would like to give toys or other gifts to our patients, please note that donations must comply with our Donation Process.

Donation drop-offs

Monday-Friday between 9am and 4:30 pm, by appointment only.

For any questions, please contact us: 
[email protected] or at 514-412-4400 ext. 22764. 
We will be happy to welcome you!

Please accept our heartfelt thanks for thinking of our patients and their families.


Please note that the deadline to donate to the toy drive is December 18th!

This page needs an update? Report it here!