Towson University
Masters of Science in Child Life,
Administration, and Family
Collaboration
Certified Child Life Specialist
Practicum Experience
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In the fall of 2016 I completed a 120 hour child life practicum at Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware which consisted of two 6-week rotations; one in the Surgical and Trach/Vent unit, and the second in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). While on the Surgical and Trach/Vent unit I was able to observe preparation and medical education for a number of diagnoses and procedures, engage in supervised medical play and developmental stimulation, and introduce services to patients and families, In the PICU I gained valuable insight on providing sibling and family support, interdisciplinary team communication, and bereavement support. As a student I also had the distinct opportunity to observe event planning and programming for Medical Play Mornings, holiday festivities, and patient milestones.
In addition to my clinical work I completed a variety of assignments that furthered my application of child development knowledge and family centered care to practice. I reflected on my experiences through daily journaling and developmental worksheets, interviewed members of the interdisciplinary team on their perception of child life, completed two papers on diagnoses and appropriate interventions, developed and implemented two therapeutic activities, and compiled a final project of pain management resources and interventions.
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Please click on each picture to learn about my experiences. Feel free to view examples of my assignments by clicking on each button as well!
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I developed and implemented this activity with a 13 year old patient during my first rotation after she expressed having bad dreams while in the hospital. The activity helped her to identify positive and negative thoughts about the hospital. *The project picture is an example of the activity, not the patient's real work.
While on the surgical unit, I observed my rotational supervisor prepare a 5 year old for a kidney transplant. To further my knowledge of the transplant process, my supervisor provided me with a copy of this resource that is provided to families.
While in the PICU I worked with a mother of an 8 month old infant to create prints to celebrate his monthly milestone. To protect the patient's identity, the actual prints are not shown, but are similar to the image provided.
I developed and implemented this activity with a 13 year old patient during my first rotation after she expressed having bad dreams while in the hospital. The activity helped her to identify positive and negative thoughts about the hospital. *The project picture is an example of the activity, not the patient's real work.
Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children
Herman and Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital at Sinai
As a practicum student at the Herman and Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital at Sinai in Baltimore, MD I completed over 160 hours. Throughout my program I was able to work alongside 3 Certified Child Life Specialists, 3 other practicum students, and volunteers to provide services to children and their families.
My responsibilities included, but were not limited to reviewing relevant child life literature for discussion at weekly supervisory meetings, providing support in the playroom, creating a calendar of activities for the month of March, maintaining a sanitary play environment, and reflecting on my interactions through daily journaling.
Through my experience I was exposed to patients of all age groups, developmental levels, and diagnoses, and I was been able to better understand the process of analyzing family dynamics to promote family centered care.
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Please click on each picture to learn more about my experiences!
Another practicum student and I were assigned the task of creating a calendar for the month of March. For each week we assigned one day of medical play and one day to just enjoy the playroom. This calendar provided us with ideas of crafts and activities to do throughout the month.
During one of our weekly supervisory meetings we discussed the importance of psychological preparation for procedures and had the opportunity to practice preparation for an IV.
For a March medical play playroom craft, children were provided with qtips, pom-pom balls, and pipe cleaners to create qtip flowers for spring.
Another practicum student and I were assigned the task of creating a calendar for the month of March. For each week we assigned one day of medical play and one day to just enjoy the playroom. This calendar provided us with ideas of crafts and activities to do throughout the month.