Child Life Services
The mission of the Child Life department at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is to advocate for the psychosocial, developmental, emotional and educational needs of all our patients and families. Child Life specialists strive to create a supportive environment, while helping empower patients and their families to make decisions affecting their care. If you have questions you can email our department manager, Kimberly Eighmey, at kimberly.eighmey@ssmhealth.com
Child Life Programs & Services
Our child life specialists help your family have a positive experience during your child’s outpatient visit or hospital stay. As members of your health care team, they work directly with you and your child to reduce anxiety and stress during medical procedures or hospitalization. Our staff introduces books, toys, games and educational play activities that help your child cope with their medical care.
Child life specialists are trained to provide therapeutic interventions which decrease pain and relieve stress. Relaxation techniques, guided imagery, music and distraction are utilized by our specialists to help manage pain in addition to prescribed medication.
Play is considered an important part of the healing process at Cardinal Glennon. Child life specialists provide opportunities for patients to gain a sense of control over their hospital experience via play. These interventions facilitate self-expression, learning, continued growth and development.
Playrooms are available on each inpatient floor, and offer age-appropriate toys, games, art, books, movies and music to help children cope with hospitalization and have the opportunity for peer interaction. Our playrooms are also utilized for regular visits from community groups such as Clowns on Call, CHAMP Pet Therapy program, and the Magic House.
The hospitalization of a patient can be unexpected, traumatic and sometimes frightening for family members. In addition to providing psychosocial and developmental support to patients, the Child Life specialists also help siblings of various ages understand and cope with the hospitalization of a family member. When siblings are unable to visit, talk to a child life specialist about virtual or remote options.
The death of a loved one is always a difficult experience. Learning to cope with the loss can also be challenging. Everyone grieves in their own unique way.
Children, especially young children, can also have a difficult time understanding what death means and beginning the grieving process. Child Life specialists, because of their background in child development, can help explain to children at their level what death means using books, play, and art activities. Specialists can also provide support to children and families facing a loss that will help them begin the grieving process in a positive way.
For more information regarding bereavement support, please read Supporting a Child Through the Bereavement Process resource provided by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.
We Believe in Family-Centered Care
At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, we believe that health care staff and the family are partners who work together to meet the needs of each child. Our health care teams strive to provide open communication with patients and families, while empowering families to participate in their child's health care journey.
Helpful tips for parents.
- Make sure your child is prepared for what is happening and has explanations in language he/she understands.
- Communicate with staff about your child’s unique needs and comfort measures. Staff are experts in health care, but you are the expert on your child. We encourage you to feel comfortable speaking up and advocating for your child’s individual needs.
- Write down questions to help remember your concerns when communicating with staff. It can also be helpful to write down staff names, roles, and the information they share with you.
Make a Gift to Child Life Services
Donations of toys, games, stuffed animals and crafts are always welcome throughout the year and are things we rely on to make the hospital a more kid friendly place.
Donations make it possible for a child’s hospital experience to be a positive one. Patients and families are very appreciative of all gifts and are touched by your generosity to help make the hospital stay more comfortable.