Child Life Services

• Social, educational, emotional and developmental support for patients
• Preparing children and adolescents for medical procedures
• Patient education
• Unit and pre-surgical tours
• Individual and bedside visits
• Playroom Program
• Teenlounge Programs
• Family and peer support during patient hospitalization
• Coordinating tutoring needs with the hospital teacher
• Outpatient support groups
• Wish referral for eligible patients
• Special holiday and event celebrations
• Parenting resources
• Additional resources
• Community Outreach
• Assist patients and families to set up a website using Care Page
• Coordinate gift donations for patients and units

• Preparation for medical procedures
• Pre-surgical tours
• Pediatrics
• Teens
• My Hospital Scrapbook
  Given to children when they are admitted to the hospital, this book teaches pediatric patients about medical care and helps prepare them further for upcoming procedures. It also serves as a support during their hospital stay and provides a journal for self-expression. (Created by Child Life Services' Linda Bensing and sponsored by Lutheran General Children's Hospital service league.)
• Medical play

• Preparing Your Child for Surgery
• Preparing Your Child and Your Family for a Hospital Stay
• Factors Affecting a Patient’s Adjustment to Health Care
• A Developmental Overview
• Advocate Health Care Children’s Reference Online Library
  As a parent, you want to stay on top of the latest where your child's health is concerned. Our online resource library provides you with access to topics that affect your child—Find out about specialty physicians like urologists and ENTS, health conditions like asthma and congenital heart defects and more at Advocate Health Care Children’s Reference Library.

1. Health Career Night(Each fall)
   Adolescents, parents and young adults are invited to attend this free community event to learn more about the many careers in health care, talk with professionals who work in various health-related fields and obtain information about educational requirements. To learn more about Health Career Nights, contact Jan Welter at 847-723-TEEN (8336) or jan.welter@advocatehealth.com.



2. Kids expo(each fall at LGCH)
   Each fall LGCH sponsors a Children’s health fair wth prizes and giveaways. There are several interactive booths for children/teens and health care related information for parents. The Child Life department involves guests in activities using medical supplies and gives parents additional educational materials. This is a free family event. The Interactive Health Fair for kids, held on a Saturday , includes many interactive exhibits designed for kids to have fun learning about health care.



3. Child Life Month/Patient Art Exhibit(each March)
   Lutheran General is excited to celebrate the profession of Child Life every March. Child Life is a unique profession that focuses on the emotional well-being of children and teens in healthcare settings. A number of special events are planned for the families. Patients, staff and community, including parties, contests, special guests, and patient art displays on the 10th floor of LGH, in the dining room. For more information, please call the Child Life department.



4. Chicagoland Child Life Event
   Each July the Chicagoland area’s Child Life specialists from various hospitals gather together to celebrate the profession of Child Life Specialist. There are several interactive booths for children/teens and health care related information for parents. Entertainment, such as a magician, face-painter and/or DJ is typically there. This special event, held at the Lincoln Park Zoo, is planned for children, teens, families, staff, and the community. Child Life is a unique profession that focuses on the emotional well being of children and teens in Healthcare settings.