Sophia Hornick, CFS ’12, and Rachel Hannon, child life specialist at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, take a closer look at tools, such as books and play items geared toward children, typically used by child life specialists.

A Child Life Specialist (CLS) plays many important roles in the lives of children and families, from offering psychoeducational support for tests, surgeries and other medical procedures to facilitating therapeutic medical play with special dolls, stuffed animals and medical equipment. The month of March is commemorated annually as Child Life Month. From increased educational awareness about the child life profession to informing communities at large about the special needs of families and children undergoing challenging events related to healthcare, Child Life Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the essential roles CLS professionals play every day.

The Falk College’s 124-credit bachelor of science degree includes a Child Life Specialist track. It prepares students to help children and their families overcome life’s most challenging events. Providing emotional support for families, Child Life Specialists encourage optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenges, particularly those related to healthcare and hospitalization.

In honor of Child Life Month in later March, Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital will host a teaching day for Falk College students on the child life track of study. This educational forum will provide students an opportunity to learn about emerging themes and trends in the field of child life.