Child Life Specialists: The Hidden Heros
Ranked #4,047 in Healthy Living, #72,843 overall
Helping Children Cope Emotionally with Illness
Reasons to Consider a Career as a Child Life Specialist
- Make a Difference: Every day you make a difference in the lives of the children and families you serve. Your work is very rewarding because you see children conquer their fears in ways they often cannot image when you first meet them.
- Be paid to play: Let's be honest, there are few jobs out there that will pay you to be silly and have fun. This job demands it! Child Life Specialists are constantly being called upon to not only play but encourage play and pretend games with the children they serve. It's a very creative and inspirational job.
- Work in a Medical Setting Without a Medical Degree: Ever want to work in a hospital but none of the medical professions seemed really right for you? Perhaps you wanted to help people and be instrumental in helping them recover, but just didn't feel like any of the technical, hands-on jobs were quite right for you? Child Life Specialists often act as a link between the medical staff and the child and family. This means that you will be interacting with nurses, doctors, anesthesiologists, physical therapists, etc., to make sure the family understands their options and their desires are carried out as often as possible.
- Challenging Job that Changes with each Client: No two children are the same. Their situation, fears, and questions will all be different. Your job will demand that you be prepared for anything and cater to the demands of each of your individual clients on your caseload.
- Opportunity to Work with Diverse People: Child Life Specialists are most needed when parents and/or guardians must work and cannot always be there through some of the difficult surgeries and procedures their sick children are facing. Because of this, you will be working with a lot of different children from lots of backgrounds and ethnicities. You will have the chance to learn about all of the cultures and how they work through the difficult time of having a sick child.
- Flexibility: Unlike the doctors on call, you will usually be able to sleep easy, knowing that your work is done on your schedule. You will often be able to work this around your schedule, so if you have children in school, you might still be able to make it home in time for milk and cookies when they come walking up the driveway from the bus. Oh, and speaking of flexibility, therapy can be a creative process. Just because it's never been done doesn't mean it's not a great idea- so you will have the opportunity to address your client's needs the best way you see fit- no cookie-cutter therapy sessions!
Wear It Proudly!
So, what does Child Life look like in the hospital setting?
Read this book to find out!
Child Life in Hospitals: Theory and Practice
Amazon Price: $45.95 (as of 05/29/2012)
List Price: $45.95
Used Price: $27.10
The Reasons Child Life Might Not Be the Career for You
Real Case Studies of Hospitalized Children as Recorded by a Child Life Specialist
Protecting the Emotional Development of the Ill Child: The Essence of the Child Life Profession
Amazon Price: $34.98 (as of 05/29/2012)
Child Life in Action
Kids Need Child Life Specialists Sometimes Even When They Aren't the Sick Ones...
How to Help Children Through a Parent's Serious Illness
Amazon Price: $5.49 (as of 05/29/2012)
When Parents Get Sick, Child Life Specialists Step In
And Everyone Wins!
Resources You Don't Want to Miss
- Child Life Council
- Official website for child life across the US.
- Child Life Specialist Academic Programs
- Here is a full listing of all the programs available for a BS or MS degree in Child Life. While it is currently not required, keep in mind that as the profession advances, it might become increasingly necessary to have a masters degree.
- Child Life on Wikipedia
- You know you were about to check to see what Wikipedia had to say anyways, so I thought I'd provide you with a special link right here so you won't even have to take the time to type it in your favorite search engine.
- Experiences of Real Child Life Specialists
- This article offers a great overview of the situations and experiences a child life specialist undergoes in handling their case studies.
- Child Life Specialists Featured in St. Louis Business Journal
- This article recognizes the amazing people who are Child Life Specialists for the special role they play in the lives of suffering children and families.
What do you think?
Could you be a child life specialist?
Absolutely! Sign me up!
bv14 says:
I am currently a high school junior and I have always wanted to major in psychology. I love to work with kids and I love helped people. My mom was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer so I feel like I could relate to some of the kids in the hospitals. This sounds like the perfect job for me. (:
MitchellGirl says:
I am currently a paraprofessional at an elementary school, and I am finishing my degree in business administration with a minor in psychology. I want to do this!!! I need help on what I should do next because I don't want to do 4-6 years more in school...help help help
Sooyon says:
I have been researching a lot about what major I want to choose. I keep looking for the skills and interests I have had since I was growing up- but I cannot stick to one thing. I was thinking about Hair Stylist, Interior Designer, Pediatrician, Daycare Coordinator, Restaurant Management, all kinds of things. But in the end - I LOVE children. While reading this article, I had a warm feeling overcome me inside, and I think this is what I might really want to go into.
Heather says:
I have always wanted to be a child life specialist I am currently going to college for a BA in Elementary Ed and AS in Psychology. I am looking forward to my dream coming true in hopefully a couple of years.
Misty says:
I will soon become apart of the CLC and found this site helpful. I am looking forward to becoming a child life specialist Fall 2011.
Umm, I don't think so.
Ahlam t. says:
i am in highskool and i lov kidz and helpping ppl and understanding them and my gole is to be a child life specialist
Courtney Lacy says:
I will graduate in 2010 from highschool and plan on following the career path of becoming a child-life specialist. It is a job I know I will love and will be able to share love to children in need.
annafreewood says:
i am a child life specialist well i am in my last year of uniersiy and i love it. even though i have not helped that may children i can only see how many i will be able to help as soon as i am finished schooling.
Requirements of a Child Life Specialist
In order to become a Child Life Specialist, you will need a Bachelor's Degree, an Internship experience, and you must pass the certification exam. While a masters degree is not currently a requirement, it is strongly encouraged, especially for students who did not receive their Bachelor's degree in Child Life or a closely related field.
Pass the Child Life Certification Exam
Here's the book you'll need
Child Life Exam Secrets Study Guide: Child Life Test Review for the Child Life Professional Certification Examination
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 05/29/2012)
You May Also Want to Quiz Yourself
So here are some helpful flashcards
Child Life Exam Flashcard Study System: Child Life Test Practice Questions & Review for the Child Life Professional Certification Examination
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 05/29/2012)
Child Life Gear
Many of these designs are also available on a mousepad, keychain, coffee mug, stickers, canvas bag, custom postage stamps, notecard or even a T-Shirt!
Child Life Specialists Keychain by teejaytee
Design your own personalized keychain on zazzle
Child Life postage with Teddy Bear
You can get this Child Life Gear and more from teejaytee's Gallery at Zazzle.
Leave Some Love
Child Life Specialists are truly special people. Leave a special note of tribute for these truly amazing people, or just a thought about something you learned from this lens. If you have experience with Child Life, please share your story!
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Robert
Aug 23, 2011 @ 11:49 pm | delete
- Goosebumps is what I have to say...that and...
http://clwl.artisteer.net/
my mail box is ALWAYS open - rgh@clwl.org
what a GREAT lens...thank YOU!!
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Khaleeka
Jun 27, 2011 @ 11:27 pm | delete
- What a great lens! You've been blessed!
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