"We really try to focus on the children's emotional or psycho-social needs, as well as their developmental needs during illness and hospitalization," she says.

For more than 20 years, child life specialists have provided children with different ways to cope with their illness or injury. These trained specialists support children during medical procedures by teaching them to use relaxation, breathing or distraction techniques:

"The child life lady read to her. They blew bubbles and it was a very big distraction for her. It kept her mind off of what was going on around her. She wasn't quite so afraid," says Terri Simms, mother of a pediatric patient

"By doing that, it gives them some control. It gives them a way to cope in a positive way, and hopefully, it makes the procedures go more easily for them with less trauma," says Senio.

The child life program also allows kids to be kids by providing important playtime during their hospital stay. It's a chance for these young patients to have some normalcy in their lives. It also provides an outlet to express their feelings or ask questions about their illness.

For More Information:

University of Iowa Children's Hospital

Department of Pediatrics