Child Life

Child Life Services

• Helps children understand medical information by using simpler terms.
• Provide preparation and support for children as they undergo tests, procedures or surgery.
• Normalize the hospital experience by engaging your child with games, toys, music and movies to make a more positive experience. 
• Answers questions from staff and families about how children cope in the hospital.
• Makes sure parents feel like part of their child’s healthcare team.
• Supports children through the grief of losing a loved one.
• Finds ways to help children play while they recover in the hospital.

Our expert team cares for children, teens and families through education, support and making healthcare experiences as easy and normal as possible. Our work makes children feel more relaxed and improves communication among our patients, families and healthcare teams.

Child Life in Greater Peoria

In addition to in hospital services, Child Life services at Carle Health Methodist, Proctor or Pekin are happy to provide pre-surgical or pre-admission tours of their facilties to help anxiety that children may have. There are also several books available to help prep children for events such as outpatient surgery, EEG tests, VCUGs and endoscopy tests. Contact the Peoria team for access to these services.
 

Child Life Practicum Program 

The Child Life Practicum at Carle Health  is designed as an introductory experience for individuals interested in pursuing a career in child life. Practicum experiences are offered at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL and Carle Health Methodist Hospital in Peoria, IL as staffing allows. 

Learn more about the program here. *Carle Foundation Hospital is not accepting applications at this time. 

The Child Life team in greater Peoria also has a practicum experience open, to individuals interested in pursuing a career in child life. For more information about Peoria opportunities please contact the team at (309) 671-2145 or by emailing PSA_childlife@carle.com. 

Our Child Life program is made possible in part by generous donations to the Carle Health Center for Philanthropy. Donations enhance and strengthen the program by advancing the expertise of our Child Life Specialists, providing educational materials to patients and families, and purchasing supplies to help children cope during stressful health-related events.

If you would like to support the annual Spirit of Halloween fundraiser, click here to download a 10-for-10 coupon. With the coupon you can save 10% off your entire order in store at your local spirit Halloween store and Spirit gives that 10% to Carle Health Methodist Hospital Child Life Program. 

If you would like to support the Child Life program at Carle Foundation Hospital, please visit our donation page.
If you would like to support the Child Life program in greater Peoria, please visit their wishlist here.