Child Life Services in St. Louis

Child life specialists offer age-appropriate explanations of medical terms and procedures, so your child has a clearer understanding of what’s happening. Helping to reduce anxiety and fear of the unknown by providing honest and complete age-appropriate explanations and answers to questions. The specialist may even accompany your child to a procedure to provide distraction and support. Older siblings are also provided age-appropriate preparation and support to understand and cope with emotions.

Mercy Children’s Hospital offers age-appropriate bedside activities and a playroom, where children can interact with each other and feel as though their hospitalization is a normal part of getting better. Child life specialists provide age-appropriate toys, movies, games and crafts. Art projects can be created using medical equipment related to their experience.

Medical play helps children better understand their illness, the human body and what to expect during a procedure. It gives children a chance to express themselves and provides a sense of what education might still be needed. Therapeutic medical play helps your child express fears or concerns, learn about the hospital environment and better understand and cope with emotions. Medical play may occur individually or as a group in the playroom.

Our special room just for teen patients has video games, music and more to provide a comfortable place to relax and unwind.

If your child will be having surgery at Mercy Kids Children’s Hospital, your family may request a tour of the surgery area and inpatient unit (if applicable), an explanation of medical equipment and a question-and-answer session with a child life specialist.

Pet therapy reduces the stress of hospitalization by bringing a warm, friendly presence into the child’s environment. Animals provide entertainment while enhancing the child’s emotional, social and physical well-being.

Child life specialists can help siblings prepare for and cope with the death of a family member – all while speaking at the child’s level, using words they can understand.   

Child Life at Mercy Kids Hospital in St. Louis offers practicums and internships for individuals pursuing the field of Child Life. These offerings may vary but are typically offered in Fall and Spring semesters.

The child life practicum is designed as an introductory, observational experience. Students will be introduced to evidence-based, developmentally appropriate interventions including therapeutic play, psychological preparation and procedural support. Practicum hours offered are dependent on the educational requirements from your institution with a maximum of 120 hours.

Internships are 600 hours and have two or three clinical rotations. Our internship follows ACLP modules and meets certification requirements. Bachelors or Masters level students may be accepted. School accreditation is required for students.

For application requirements or questions please reach out via e-mail only: ChildLife@mercy.net

Due Dates: Our institute follows the ACLP guidelines for application deadlines and offer dates for internship and practicum. Please visit www.childlife.org for details.

Applications must be received by deadline