March is Child Life Month!

March 8, 2018

Earlier today, we received a nice overview about the Child Life Program at NYU Winthrop Hospital. This is one of the programs that the Michael Magro Foundation supports on an ongoing basis. We wanted to share this with you, our supporters, so you can have more information about where some of our funding goes.

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The Child Life Program at NYU Winthrop Hospital is a therapeutic play program designed to meet the unique needs of the pediatric patient and ease the stress of hospitalization for both the patient and family.  The program currently exists on the inpatient unit, at the Cancer Center for Kids, the Pediatric Specialty Center, the Pediatric Emergency Department and in the Ambulatory Surgery Center.  Child Life strives to promote optimum development of children, adolescents, and families throughout the hospital experience.  One of our main goals at NYU Winthrop is to enhance our children’s ability to cope successfully in the health care setting. We aim not only to decrease the psychological trauma associated with illness, but actually try to make it a positive experience for the child’s growth and development.

SERVICES PROVIDED BY CHILD LIFE SPECIALISTS
 
Child life specialists focus on the psychosocial and developmental needs of children, collaborating with families and other health care providers to:

■ Prepare children for medical procedures or treatment using language that children understand

■ Introduce coping strategies to help reduce anxiety and enhance cooperation with the health care team

■ Provide support and distraction during medical procedures

■ Offer opportunities for play and expressive activities, to encourage normal development and a sense of FUN in spite of challenging circumstances

■ Promote family-centered care by providing information, advocacy and support to families of pediatric patients

Please feel free to acknowledge all of NYU Winthrop’s Child Life Specialists during this month!

Do not hesitate to contact the Michael Magro Foundation with any questions that you may have regarding the Child Life Program and how we help support them.