Child Life

Being in the hospital can be an unfamiliar and stressful environment for children and their families. Our Child Life staff work closely with pediatric patients to help them cope positively with their illness and hospitalization. They help each child understand what's going on and what to expect during their stay. They support children’s social and emotional needs by engaging in bedside and playroom activities to preserve childhood within the hospital setting. Child Life Services promote relaxation techniques and make sure that each child has the social interactions and educational services that are so important to childhood. Because a child’s hospitalization and recovery include the whole family, we have special programs and support for siblings and parents, too.


Child Life at Kapiolani

Kapiolani Child Life Services: 1-808-983-8320

Child Life Specialist

Our Child Life Specialists coordinate with our doctors, nurses and other health professionals to provide patients with the best care possible. 
 

Familiarization with Medical Procedures

Teaching children about medical procedures beforehand is an important part of helping them prepare. As the child learns what to expect, things will become less frightening.

Kapiolani’s Child Life Specialists use special activities like medical play, needle therapy, preoperative tours and pre-procedural teaching to help children deal with their treatment and hospital stay.


Bedside and Playroom Activities

Play is essential during a child's hospital stay. Child Life Specialists encourage children to explore and fulfill their natural need to play which helps to minimize their fears and promote positive coping. Opportunities for cognitive growth, physical challenge, and social interaction are provided and encouraged daily.

The Playroom, located on the second floor, provides a safe and fun atmosphere for hospitalized children.

Playroom Hours:

9 a.m. - 5 p.m., 7 days a week


Patient and Family Support

Child Life Specialist’s provide family centered care through services that include: 

  • Play for therapeutic purposes
  • Sibling support
  • Relaxation/pain management techniques
  • Parenting resources (developmentally appropriate activities, parenting skills, etc.)
  • Legacy building and memory making support


Special Events

Child Life provides special activities and events to help bridge the gap between home and the hospital. Events include:

  • Pet therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Art programs
  • Celebrity visits
  • Holiday and birthday celebrations
  • Community education


Playroom

Play is essential during a child's hospital stay. Child Life Specialists encourage children to explore and fulfill their natural need to play which helps to minimize their fears and promote positive coping. Opportunities for cognitive growth, physical challenge, and social interaction are provided and encouraged daily.

The Playroom, located on the second floor, provides a safe and fun atmosphere for hospitalized children. The Playroom is open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.


Playroom Volunteers

Volunteers contribute to the Child Life Program by providing patients with appropriate activities in the Playroom and at the bedside, as well as assisting with special events, holidays and birthday celebrations.

If you are interested in becoming a Child Life Volunteer, please contact Volunteer Services at (808) 983-8281.


Child Life Student Clinical Experience

The Child Life Program at Kapiolani offers an in-depth clinical experience for students pursuing Child Life as a career. This clinical experience is offered once a year in the fall.

We are not currently accepting applications for this internship but please check back for more information.

Educational Services

Educational services are available to in-patients who miss two or more weeks of school due to their hospital admission or medical condition. Tutoring provides valuable cognitive stimulation and rehabilitation, which empowers the patient for an easier transition back to school.

The Educational Liaison may also assist you in communicating with your child’s school regarding their hospital stay and medical or educational needs upon discharge.

Integrated Services

This service promotes relaxation and healing for patients and families using a holistic perspective.  Integrated Services are offered Monday through Sunday upon volunteer availability. Volunteers are trained and specialize in mind-body healing modalities. Services for patients include Healing Touch, Reiki, Aromatherapy and Infant Massage. 

  • Healing Touch is a relaxing, nurturing energy therapy that uses gentle, heart-centered touch to assist in balancing Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual well-being.
  • Reiki is a Japanese technique centered around the “life force energy” that reduces stress and promotes healing and relaxation.
  • Aromatherapy is an intervention that uses the scent of essential oils to promote relaxation and well-being while alleviating symptoms such as nausea, fatigue and anxiety.
  • Infant Massage provides newborns with nurturing touch to promote health and early attachment.

 


This service is available at:   Kapiolani

 

Volunteer Opportunities

Playroom Volunteers
Volunteers assist Child Life Specialists in a variety of ways:

  • Provide patients with appropriate activities in the Playroom and at the bedside.
  • Bring children to and from the Playroom.
  • Prepare and clean up materials and play areas.
  • Assist with special events, holidays and birthday celebrations.

If you are interested in becoming a Child Life Volunteer, please call Volunteer Services at: 808-983-8281.

Donate Toys, Games and Supplies to Child Life Services

Aloha and thank you for your interest in supporting the children at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.

Kapiolani’s Child Life Program was established to help young patients and their families cope with hospitalization and treatment. Child Life provides children staying in the hospital the opportunity to play in a variety of ways. Your donation of toys, games and supplies provides comfort and entertainment to our pediatric patients and their family members during their stay in the hospital. Donated toys are given to patients during the holidays, on their birthday, to celebrate hospitalization milestones and used in our playroom and patient rooms throughout the year.

Play is essential during a child’s hospital stay. Child Life Services provides patients with the opportunity to play in their hospital room or in the playroom. The Child Life playroom, located on the second-floor of the hospital, serves as a hub for Child Life Services. Thank you very much for giving our Keiki opportunities to play.

What can I donate?

All donations must be new and non-toxic. Our Wish List provides the most up-to-date list of Child Life needs.

Prior to donating, please keep the following in-mind:

  • For infection control reasons, we are unable to accept used stuffed animals or toys.
  • All donated cloth or fabric items (blankets, quilts, hats) must be new, recently purchased and never used, to prevent the spread of infection. We do not accept clothing for children.

To make a monetary donation, please contact The Kapiolani Health Foundation at 1-808-535-7100.

Does Kapiolani Medical Center allow groups to visit and donate items?

We truly appreciate your interest in bringing cheer to the children here at Kapiolani. At this time, we do not allow groups from the community to visit directly with our patients for a one-time event. This is in an effort to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, maintain patient privacy, and also allow time for our patients to heal.

Thank you for your understanding and consideration. As an alternative, we encourage groups to show their kindness by hosting a Toy Drive. Toy Drives are a great way to involve many people and make an impact on the wellbeing of hospitalized children. If you are interested in holding a Toy Drive to support Child Life Services, we are always in need of crayons, bubbles, construction paper and Play-Doh. You can also view our Wish List for more ideas.

When can I deliver my donation?

To deliver your donation, please make arrangements ahead of time.

  • We accept donations every day of the week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Please call the Kapiolani Health Foundation at 1-808-535-7100 to schedule a drop off time.
  • For larger donations, special arrangements may need to be made and donations times may be limited.

If I have further questions, who can I contact?

For questions regarding donations, please contact the Kapiolani Health Foundation at 1-808-535-7100.

If you have a specific question regarding a donation to Child Life Services, please call 1-808-535-7100.

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