About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Child Life Program
"Being
diagnosed with a new illness and coming to the hospital can be
stressful events for a family. The goal of the Child Life Program is to
minimize that stress and anxiety as much as possible. Child Life
Specialists work closely with children and teens to provide
non-threatening age-appropriate explanations and preparations. This
individualized education helps them to not only understand what is
happening but also to build trust and confidence so that they know what
to expect during this time of many changes. Child Life Specialists also
create many opportunities for play and expressive activities that
promote patients' and siblings' optimal development, an outlet for
feelings, peer interaction, a sense of mastery, or developed coping.
These therapeutic opportunities are offered daily on an individual
basis (bedside) and as a group (in one of our play areas or teen rooms).
There
are 15 full time child life specialists at St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital in all clinical areas and available to all families. Child
life specialists are nationally certified and have earned a Bachelor's
or Master's degree, with an educational background that includes human
growth and development, education, psychology, or counseling. As part
of the healthcare team, child life specialists focus on the
psychosocial needs of children facing challenging experiences,
particularly related to healthcare and hospitalization.
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About Amy Kennedy
Amy
Kennedy is a Senior Certified Child Life Specialist at St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital. Child life Specialists work to minimize the stress and
anxiety that many kids have when they have to stay in the hospital. A child's
normal development can be affected when battling a serious illness. The work of
the Child Life Specialists can assist children and teens with living as close
to a normal life as possible. They do this by providing opportunities to gain a
sense of mastery, play, learning, self-expression, family involvement and peer
interaction. Kennedy, who joined the hospital in 1999, works with children and
teens who are receiving radiation for brain tumors and other forms of cancer.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family development.
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