Child Life & Music Therapy

Being in the hospital can be very stressful for children and their families. The Child Life and Music Therapy Program at Blank Children's Hospital helps patients and their families understand medical options, talk through emotions while keeping the patient's life as normal as possible, ease nerves prior to procedures and so much more.

Child Life Specialists

Child Life specialists foster healing and recovery by helping children express their concerns and cope with fears. Specialists meet with families to provide educational activities to help children adjust to the medical setting, prepare for medical procedures and put them at ease.

Child Life Services for Patients and Families

Child Life Specialists work to make every child’s experience as positive as possible. By using play, recreation and educational techniques, Child Life staff help children find ways to cope with fear, anxiety and separation from family and friends. Support for patients and family members include:

• Supporting the patient's emotional, social and cognitive growth in the context of his or her family, culture and developmental stage.
• Encouraging developmentally appropriate therapeutic play activities.
• Energizing children and families by coordinating special events, entertainment and activities.
• Preparing children for medical procedures and diagnoses using developmentally specific language and teaching tools.
• Offering pre-procedural tours to help patients and families become more familiar with the hospital setting.
• Assisting patients and families in emergency situations and unplanned visits to the hospital.
• Providing support for families and siblings who may be affected by a diagnosis, illness, trauma or grief.
• Supporting parents and caregivers by encouraging their participation in their child's health care.
• Providing education and resources for parents and family members.

Child Life Specialists are trained health professionals who have a bachelor's or master's degree in child development, psychology, education, therapeutic recreation or related field. They have completed an extensive internship and maintain certification requirements of the Association of Child Life Professionals.

Music Therapy

Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship (American Music Therapy Associations, 2025). At Blank Children's Hospital, board-certified music therapists (MT-BCs) use music as a tool to support physical, social, emotional and neurological goals. Music therapy can help:

• Manage stress and anxiety
• Promote physical and neurological rehabilitation
• Provide developmentally appropriate sensory stimulation
• Reduce pain
• Support emotional expression and coping

What to Expect During a Music Therapy Session

Our music therapists use the elements of music, including rhythm, melody, tempo and harmony, to meet patients where they are socially, emotionally, developmentally and neurologically, while supporting their treatment goals. No previous music experience is needed to participate in music therapy. Each session is tailored to the patient's age, developmental level and individual treatment goals. Common music therapy interventions include:

• Active music-making, such as playing instruments or singing
• Instrument instruction
• Listening to music
• Relaxation techniques
• Songwriting and song creation

Music therapy is provided through consultation and is available in General Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Blank Children's Hospital.