Child Life Services

Child life specialists at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego help patients and their families understand and cope with the hospital experience.

Based on the child’s individual needs and developmental level, child life specialists can provide:

Psychological preparation for surgery, procedures and medical tests.
Pre-operative tours and education to help patients and siblings understand and cope with upcoming medical events.
Emotional support and coping techniques, such as relaxation, diversion and deep breathing.
Medical and therapeutic play to help patients become more familiar with medical equipment and procedures and encourage expression of feelings.
Activity Room programming to promote healing, creativity, peer interaction, and independence, all which are all vital to normal growth and development.
School visits or consultations to promote classmates’ understanding of illness and healthcare.
Resources on child development.