Child Life
B S1.2724
514-412-4400 ext. 22529Book your first appointment
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Since the Child Life department adopted and introduced the Bravery Hearts Program in 2005, children and adolescents have been proudly wearing the necklaces demonstrating their courageous journey in their fight against cancer. Each bead represents a procedure or treatment; a brightly coloured fish is given when a child’s central line is accessed, a red bead represents a transfusion, and a bead with balloons represents a very important milestone- a birthday!
The program has a multitude of benefits for children of all ages, infants through adolescents. The colourful necklaces that bear their names provide children with an on-going opportunity to share their stories of courage. The program promotes a child’s or adolescent’s ability to cope with their battle against cancer while acting as encouragement by emphasizing their strengths.
Services
- Child Life specialists can be found on inpatient and outpatient units.
- Child Life Specialists are certified with the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).
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:
- Inpatient units: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit & Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Hematology-oncology ward; Surgical Ward; Acute Care Unit; Medical Ward
- Outpatient clinics: Hematology-oncology day treatment center; Pediatric Surgical Center; Pediatric Day Center; Hemodialysis clinic; Pediatric Testing Center; PATH (Pediatric Adult Transition Hub)
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 and resources
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 Center & 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 Center & Library page!
We thank the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation for their kind funding of many of the programs mentioned above!
Donating
If you would like to give toys or other gifts to our patients, please note that donations must be purchased from our healthcare center. They must comply with our Donation Process.
Donation drop-offs
Are by appointment only during these times (We will be happy to welcome you):
- Thursday (9am to 3pm)
- Friday (9am to noon)
- Saturday & Sunday (noon to 5pm)
For any questions, please contact us:
[email protected] or at (514) 412-4400 ext. 22570.
Thank you for thinking of our patients and their families!