Competencies

Child Life Competencies

Minimal levels of acceptable practice defined by the Child Life Council for individuals or organizations.

Developmental and Psychosocial Needs

The needs of infants, children, youth, and families that must be assessed for effective child life services.

Patient and Family-Centered Care

An approach that ensures the patient and their family are at the core of care decisions and implementations.

Therapeutic Relationship

A meaningful connection established between child life specialists and families to provide effective support.

Play Functions

The various roles and benefits of play, including emotional expression, coping, and comfort.

Environmental Design

How the physical environment impacts human behavior, particularly in the context of child life services.

Coping Strategies

Techniques, including non-pharmacological approaches, that help children and families deal with stress.

Psychological Preparation

Teaching techniques that prepare individuals for potential stressful experiences in healthcare.

Scope of Practice

The professional boundaries and responsibilities defined by state jurisdiction or regulatory organizations.

Interdisciplinary Team

A group consisting of various professionals and family members collaborating to provide care.

Evidence-Based Practice

The integration of clinical evidence into decision-making processes for effective child life practice.

Advocacy

Actions taken to support and promote the needs and voices of patients and their families.

Clinical Evaluation

The process of assessing the effectiveness of care interventions and outcomes.

Self-Reflection

The practice of evaluating one's own thoughts and actions to improve service delivery.

Cultural Competence

The ability to interact effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Learning Styles

Different ways in which individuals prefer to learn, impacting teaching approaches in child life services.

Quality Improvement

Activities aimed at improving child life services through systematic assessment and evaluation.

Simulation

A technique used for training and preparation that mimics real-life scenarios for teaching purposes.

Feedback Mechanisms

Methods of providing constructive critique to enhance learning and performance.