Educational Programming: A Coping and Distraction Trchnique in Pediatric Hospital Settings

The experience of hospitalization is a unique and typically difficult experience for most children. Many children's hospitals strive to provide various services to help children cope with the difficult emotions and distract them from the pain they may be feeling. In addition to Child Life Interventions, common services such as Music Therapy, Art Therapy, and Pet Therapy provide an outlet for children to play and think about something other than the hospital. School services are also involved and are a vital aspect of providing a "normal" experience for children in the hospital. This thesis demonstrates the importance of child life interventions for pediatric patients, with a specific emphasis on educational services and learning. It also provides a case study of how Child Life Specialists and hospital teachers/tutors can implement educational activities and programs for children who thrive off of learning and education. Educational activities can provide similar distraction as other services offered in the hospital. Included are current practices and services being used in pediatric hospitals.