Adventures in Child Life

I get many DM’s from students asking for advice with applications, asking to interview me for their classes, & asking about the field in general. The question I get asked the most is “how can I stand out?” I get asked this so often that I wrote a blog post on it - link in bio! I made my blog for this reason - to help others in the field & I’m happy to do so.
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So, which students stand out to me the most? The ones that reply with a heartfelt thank you. The ones that follow up & let me know how their interview went. The one that surprised me and made my entire week by sending me a Starbucks gift card!
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This is the same when applying to practicums, internships, and jobs. Go that extra mile. Send an email thanking them for taking the time to meet with you. Send them a handwritten card in the mail as soon as you leave.
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In a sea of applications, emails, & DM’s, the ones that go that extra mile are truly the ones that stand out.

One of my favorite things that ever came in a donation are these coloring books by ! Created with so much intention & love, these coloring books spread messages of peace & happiness. I love giving these out ✨💜 what is one of your favorite donations from your community? @ Miami, Florida

Happy summer solstice! Our put together these little treats for everyone in our department. What a great way to kick off summer! ☀️🌴🌊🍉🐚🐬

Covering several med/surg units can be a little hectic if I don’t have my go-bag. These are all of my essentials I carry around. What’s one item you MUST have in your go-bag? .
- ISpy book
- Light spinners
- Squishy ball
- Pencil case with bubble wands inside
- Small prizes
- Small activities
- OR/IV prep kit
- Anesthesia mask
- Gold medal for brave patients
- Bunny for medical play & to give away for needed cuddles
- Cars
- Uno
- Bag of slime
- Chewy tube
- Infant teether/rattle
- Rain drum
- Play-doh
- Child life bookmark
- Dry erase marker

✨New on the shop✨ I put together these gift boxes for all of you graduates, practicum students, and interns. So excited about my new line of specialty boxes! More to come! https://www.etsy.com/shop/Adventureinchildlife

Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus You may have heard the word "coronavirus" online or on TV. You probably have a lot of questions. Check out our comic to get some answers — and print out a zine version at home.

#3. January 2017: Although the pen may not be mightier than the scalpel, pediatric surgeon Dr. Robert Parry always takes a moment to make sure a scar isn’t the only lasting memory of a child’s surgical procedure. He surprises them with a hand-drawn dressing featuring a character or something that personally interests them.

Watch a video: http://www.facebook.com/49582127564/posts/10155439612052565

Guess who just arrived to our surgical unit... Annie Sthesia! 🎄✨💖

I’m in my 30s, and I just cried in a toy store. Because I finally found a wheelchair user Barbie. I’ve never had a Barbie, but I bought one today. Let me tell you why.

When I was a kid, an old neighbor knocked on our door with a Barbie in a leotard. She suggested to my mother that it would inspire me to walk unaided. If I tried hard enough. As if my disabled body wasn’t good enough. As if my wheelchair wasn’t cool enough.

The neighbor walked away, mystified that her idea wasn’t graciously accepted. And I’ve never forgotten that moment.

Today, I saw a Barbie. In an active wheelchair. And I cried in the aisles. Because representation matters.

My daughter pointed out there’s even a ramp. Because we have places to go, too.

My point is, my wish is, kids will finally get to see that we don’t need to work ourselves out of our wheelchairs to be seen.

We matter as we are.

“We do it because we care. We do it because it is so needed. We do it because it is the coolest job in the world.”

https://youtu.be/adLX_gydAK4

DISCOVERYx 2019 | Sami Rundo DISCOVERYx is a TEDx-inspired event held annually. This year's presenters shared ideas, opportunities, experiences and discoveries that are improving health ...

Ready for this Saturday shift 💪 Who else is child life-ing this weekend? 🏥

This week something really big happened; I officially became a CCLS level II! Reflecting on the past 5 years of my career is insane - little faces pop up in my memory, faces of true little warriors that despite all odds, showed immense strength and resilience in the face of hospitalization.

I think about coaching kids and distracting them during long and painful procedures. I think about the medical teams wide-eyes during those procedures thinking to themselves “I can’t believe this kid isn’t needing to be held down - we just needed child life!” I think about birthday parties, just because slime parties, and discharge parties for long term patients. I think about new diagnosis teachings, surgery teachings, procedure teachings, and all the fun I’ve had with my warriors during countless medical play sessions. I think about the hard goodbyes and the blessing it is each time to be able to help families keep their child’s legacy alive through memory making. & I think about the incredible healthcare workers I’ve met along the way.

One thing I don’t think about though is all of the blood, sweat, and tears I’ve shed along the way because looking back, it’s all 100% worth it. My mission today is still the mission I had on my first day on the job, January 6th, 2014, to make the hospital less scary for kids. Cheers to the next 5 years!

I found these little squishy hearts and lungs on sale ! So excited to find medical play toys I can use with my warriors. In what fun ways would you use these?!

I had the pleasure of getting to play with a - you guys, this toy is AMAZING!
✨First and foremost, it comes with batteries already inside. You just open the box, turn it on, and start to play!
✨The duck itself is super soft and cuddly - much more cuddly than I thought a robotic duck would be. The ducks “fur” can also be removed to be cleaned which makes my infection control mindset super happy. ✨Aside from being adorable, this duck has a big role in helping kids identify emotions. It comes with plastic emoji chips you hold up to the ducks chest & then the duck mirrors that emotion. There is even a chip that teaches deep breathing & another to play relaxation music!
✨Did I mention there’s even a medical play component included?! Yes! It comes with a little Velcro port you can easily “access” and “deaccess”.
✨I’ve seen a lot of toys in the 5 years as a CCLS but I have to say, the My Special Aflac Duck is hands down my favorite!
✨Do you guys have the My Special Aflac Duck at your hospital?

Miami Int’l Airport Opens Its First Multi-Sensory Room For Kids With Autism A brand new Multi-Sensory Room for kids with autism and other special needs had it's grand opening today at Miami International Airport. MIA's ceremony for the room kicked off their celebration of Autism Awareness Month.

Happy ! We've got some exciting news: We have a child life billboard in Metro Detroit! 🙌

If you're in the area, check it out throughout the month of March. Snap a selfie with it, send it over, and we'll share it!

Special thanks to Divna Wheelwright, who made this billboard possible. This is very exciting for everyone involved in child life!

Happy birthday little one! This is how we celebrate birthdays at my hospital: balloons🎈, presents🎁, birthday poster for staff to sign📜, & a box from 🎉 If the dietary needs allow, our cafeteria will also provide a mini birthday cake 🎂 how does your hospital celebrate birthdays?

Happy child life month friends! I’m so excited to celebrate all month long with you all. Cheers to child life! ✨💜

Friday feels ice cream party with the playroom crew!

Finally found a play-food bbq set for my grill! This grill might seem like just another toy, but it works wonders in getting our little ones out of bed after surgery. Never underestimate the power of play! ✨

Self care Sunday’s 💗🌴