To the casual observer, child life may seem like a lot of fun to pass the time in the hospital or clinic.
Play does help keep children occupied during long, difficult hours, but it has so much more value than simple fun.
Play is the language, university and business of childhood. Children learn, interact with their world and process their experiences through play.
Child Life cares for the whole child, and play is the best way to help children cope with their medical experiences.
Play is a diversion from the rigours of hospital. Play is a distraction during difficult procedures, and a learning tool to prepare the child so they can be involved with the procedure. Play helps carers assess a child’s emotional state, identify anxieties and fears, and teach coping skills.
In short, play helps the whole child heal!
Child life promotes effective coping through play, preparation, education and self-expression activities based on natural child development.
The links below highlight the developmental issues, stressors, and coping behaviours of each age group. Each page also summarizes the interventions, pain management and comforting techniques child life professionals and parents can use to support the child or teenager.
Supporting Neonates (0-30 days)
Supporting Infants (1-12 months)
Supporting Toddlers (1-3 years)
Supporting Preschoolers (3-5 years)
Child Life at One Rb World 2024 in Hawaii
Psychological support for children and their families is a vital part of retinoblastoma care, from before diagnosis through treatment and beyond. Integrating these supports into Rb care is a global challenge, but as previous One Rb World meetings show, opportunities exist to enhance child-centred care in all regions of the world.
National and global collaboration between retinoblastoma specialists, researchers, parents, survivors, and other advocates can dramatically improve the psychological experience and medical outcomes for each child with eye cancer, their family and the survivor decades beyond treatment.
If you would like to join this global community sharing knowledge and experience, learning from one another, and exploring priority subjects together, we welcome you to the 7th One Rb World meeting, October 15-17 2024 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The meeting will be held just before the International Society of Paediatric Oncology World Congress which takes place 17-20 October, 2024 at the Honolulu Convention Centre.
One Rb World is community, conversation, and cooperation. An inclusive global collaboration for optimal lifelong care. Children are welcome too – One Rb World is proud to offer a fun program for Rb patients, young survivors, siblings, and children of adult survivors, fully staffed by child life professionals familiar with Rb care! Activities are tailored specifically to our young retinoblastoma community, mindful of the medical and life experiences they may encounter.