Child and Family Life

Our child and family life specialists help children and families ease fear and anxiety, regain a sense of normalcy, and find joy — even during a time that may feel scary, confusing, or overwhelming. They are an important part of the care team at Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, especially for children with chronic conditions, long-term hospital stays, or emergency situations.

We meet children where they are, providing educational assistance and therapeutic recreation through art, music, play, and a variety of other approaches to support emotional, social, and cognitive growth in the context of a child's family, culture, and developmental stage.

The Child and Family Life team can provide:

Developmental play

We use play to encourage and energize children and families through developmentally appropriate therapeutic play activities like art, music, and more during hospital stays.

Educational support

We coordinate with your child's teachers, assist with student tutoring, provide hands-on educational group activities, and more.

Family support and resources

We support families by providing education and resources for parents, caregivers, and siblings who may be affected by a diagnosis, illness, trauma, or grief. This includes encouraging parents and caregivers to participate in their child's health care.

Medical procedural support

We help families understand their diagnosis and encourage cooperation by preparing children for medical procedures using developmentally specific language and teaching tools.

Pain management

We teach relaxation, distraction, and coping techniques to ease anxiety and discomfort without medicine.

Art therapy

Art therapy provides a safe place for children to use creative self-expression as a way to improve mood, reduce stress, and develop healthy coping skills. Our program is led by licensed art therapists who are trained in mental health and the healing power of art. Through drawing, painting, sculpting, and other creative activities, children can express their thoughts and emotions in a safe and supportive space.

Hospital school

The Dick and Linda Antonini Hospital School Program supports the healing process by providing children with educational support and a sense of normalcy. Led by Michigan-certified teachers, our program helps kids keep up with their peers academically while preparing them to make a smooth transition back to the classroom. Features include:

• Educational liaisons who coordinate with your child's school to help them keep up with academic milestones while managing a long-term or short-term medical condition
• Group school time with hands-on learning activities related to a lesson of the day
• Activity packets that can be delivered to your child’s bedside
• 1-on-1 tutoring with the support of our teacher volunteers

In-house TV station

Blue Glass Studio, our hospital-based TV station, broadcasts live and recorded programming for children and families throughout the day, including interactive games with prizes, interviews with special guests, lessons with school teachers, musical performances, and more. Because our broadcasts are created in-house, children have the opportunity to tour the studio, participate in live tapings, and go behind the scenes to learn about TV recording.

Music therapy

Studies show that music therapy has lasting benefits for children in a hospital setting, including reducing stress, managing pain, promoting self-expression, establishing a greater sense of control, and building healthy coping skills.  

Music therapists at the Edward and June Prein Family Music Therapy Program provide a safe, fun atmosphere for children to be themselves. They provide opportunities for families to bond and cope with the challenges that can come with a hospital stay.

Our board-certified music therapists collaborate directly with your child’s care team to provide individualized musical sessions to address their specific goals. Activities can include making music together, singing, songwriting, learning to play an instrument, or even just sharing favorite songs.

Remote support services

Our Virtual Child and Family Life service allows children and families to speak with a Certified Child Life Specialist over video call. Virtual visits can be arranged to help a child prepare for an upcoming surgery, test, procedure, or discuss specific challenges or stressors your child may be experiencing related to a medical experience. During the call, a Child Life Specialist can also provide resources to understand and cope with a new diagnosis or chronic illness and address anxieties related to health care. To schedule a virtual tour, contact Child and Family Life at 616.267.1443 or email virtualchildlife2@helendevoschildrens.org.

Special events

To support emotional well-being, the hospital curates a year-round calendar of exclusive events and celebrity guest visits, creating uplifting experiences for children and families during their stay.