Wellstar Children's of Georgia
Child Life Specialists
At Wellstar Children’s of Georgia, our Child Life Specialists are expertly trained in helping children and youth navigate the challenges of illness, injury or disability, hospitalization, treatment or new diagnosis.
About Us
- What is a Child Life Specialist?
- The Healing Power of Play
- Understanding Care
- Preparation
- Support for Patients and Family
- Grief and Bereavement Support
- Grief Resources
What is a Child Life Specialist?
A Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) is a healthcare professional who helps children, teens, and families understand and cope with injury, illness, hospitalization, or death and loss. Their goal is to help reduce anxiety, fear, pain, and misconceptions pertaining to medical experiences. Often through play, child life specialists enable children to explore, learn, and develop effective coping skills for facing challenging events.
What education does a Child Life Specialist need?
To become a CCLS, a four-year undergraduate degree is required. Some Child Life Specialists also choose to earn a master’s degree, which offers advanced training in working with pediatric patients.
Every member of our team is a CCLS by national examination.Association of Child Life Professionals.
The Healing Power of Play
Play helps children make sense of the world—and it’s especially important in a healthcare setting. Our Child Life Specialists use play to:- Support healthy development and positive coping strategies
- Prepare children for medical procedures in age-appropriate ways
- Help children process their experiences and emotions
- Give children choices and a sense of controlEncourage normal development and positive coping throughout healthcare experiences
Helping Children Understand Care
Our team of Child Life Specialists understands that children and teens cope best when they are prepared for healthcare encounters in ways they can understand. We use our knowledge of child development to provide education tailored to each child’s age and needs. Using play, technology and realistic medical equipment, Child Life Specialists help explain diagnoses, procedures and tests in developmentally appropriate ways.We’re also a resource for caregivers and parents who want to better understand how children develop, respond to challenges and cope with stress.
Preparation
Hospital visits and medical procedures can be stressful for children and their families. Children may feel nervous, have questions or misunderstand what’s happening based on unfamiliar medical terms. By preparing children honestly and in age-appropriate ways, Child Life Specialists help to:
- Reduce anxiety
- Build trust with care team members
- Identify stressors and teach coping skills
- Offer choices and a sense of control
We guide children through what to expect—what they may feel, see, hear, taste and smell—so they feel more confident and informed. Using developmentally appropriate language, pictures and medical tools, we help children make sense of their experience and express any fears or concerns.
Support for Patients and Family
Child Life Specialists help children and their families develop positive coping skills and establish plans and techniques for facing challenging events. Coping strategies are unique to each child and family.For Parents
- Honestly explaining to your child how something may feel without minimizing their emotions or the experience
- Informing team members of important facts about your child
- Remaining positive, calm and supportive toward your child
- Providing your presence/full attention and offering specific praise before, during and after a procedure
- Utilizing comfort positioning so that your child can always see and touch you
- Preparing yourself for your child’s upcoming procedure
For Children
- Distraction: Refocusing your child’s attention on an activity they find engaging
- Imagery: Asking your child to close their eyes and recall a positive place or memory
- Breathing: Encouraging your child to take slow, deep breaths
- Comfort: Bringing along your child’s favorite blanket or stuffed animal to hold before, during or after the procedure
Grief & Bereavement Support
Child Life Specialists are trained in how children understand and respond to the death of a loved one. They provide guidance on talking to children about a loved one who has died or is nearing the end of their life. Using play, art and developmentally appropriate language, Child Life Specialists help children and teens understand the death, express emotions and create keepsakes in memory of their loved one.Helping Children Deal with Grief
Camp Tranquility and Camp Dogwood are one-day events for children and adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Both are sponsored by Wellstar Hospice Care.Camp Tranquility
Camp Tranquility is a community workshop for families who have lost a loved one. Adults and children ages 6 and older participate in sessions designed to support healthy grief expression. Participants connect with others experiencing similar losses while learning:
- Age-specific strategies for processing grief
- Self-care and stress reduction
- Parenting through loss
- Talking to children about death and grief
- Activities for family healing over time
Camp Dogwood
Camp Dogwood is a free, one-day event for children ages 6 to 12 in West Georgia and surrounding areas who have experienced the loss of a loved one.Founded in 1997 as an outreach of West Georgia Hospice, the camp now serves up to 60 children each summer, supported by about 80 volunteers.
Through art, games and stories, campers:
- Understand that everyone grieves
- Learn healthy ways to cope
- Find meaningful ways to remember loved ones
- Build coping skills while enjoying fun, supportive activities
Additional Resources & Grief Support Materials
Services & Resources
- Opportunities for play, growth and development in the healthcare setting
- Healthcare education for children and families
- Procedural and surgical preparation and support
- Strategies for coping with stressful situations
- Advocacy that promotes emotional safety for children, teens and families
- Support of siblings during their brother's or sister’s hospitalization
- Illness education and coping support for children and teens whose loved one is hospitalized
- Grief and bereavement support
- Guidance for parents and caregivers on child development and ways to manage stress and trauma
News
Related Articles
Highlights
Start the School Year Right: Your Back-to-School Check List
As you prepare for the new school year, give your child a positive start by completing your own homework assignment—checking in on their health.
Wellstar Children’s of Georgia is home base for expert kid care, helping the whole family feel their best with wellness exams, sports physicals and immunizations—plus pediatric emergency departments, urgent care centers and specialty services.
Back-to-school check list
Teaching your child healthy habits now will help them feel their best throughout the school year and beyond.
Check in for a check-up.
Preventative check-ups and screenings help kids stay ahead of health issues. During an annual wellness visit, our pediatricians will ensure your child is up to date on their vaccinations and talk to you about which immunizations are recommended to prevent disease. They will also help you navigate school health requirements.
“We believe in treating the whole child. What I mean by that is, of course, their physical health is very important, but we also feel that their emotional health is very important,” said Wellstar Children’s of Georgia Pediatrician Dr. Brandi Lewis. “Our goal is for all our patients to be resilient, happy and healthy.”
Eat healthy.
Teach children about good nutrition by encouraging them to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and limiting sugary drinks and snacks. When kids head back to school, keep them on the right track with healthy after-school snacks.
Stay hydrated and keep cool.
Make sure kids drink plenty of water to help their bodies regulate temperature. Summer athletes should drink up to 20 ounces before practice and 5 ounces every 15 minutes during the activity. On especially hot days, it’s also important to remind your children about moderation: They should take frequent breaks in shady areas, and make sure they don’t push themselves too hard.
“Kids can become dehydrated faster than adults,” said Dr. Eric Berg, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia medical director of pediatric surgical services. “If they’re already thirsty, they may already be mildly dehydrated.”
Move your body.
Children should have around 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity every day. Staying active can be a fun family activity—ride bikes, play tag or go for a walk.
Get sports-ready.
Schedule your child’s sports physical before game day arrives. Their care team will check their heart, lungs and overall health so they can feel their best on and off the field.
“Sports physicals are important to screen for any underlying conditions that might put your child at increased risk versus some of their peers,” Dr. Berg said.
Catch some z’s.
Kids 3 to 5 years old should get about 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day. Children 6 to 12 years old should get nine to 12 hours, and teens need about 8 to 10 hours.
Practice good hygiene.
Show children how to wash their hands properly and remind them to do it frequently. Do not send your children to school if they are sick.
Wear backpacks properly.
Kids' backpacks should not weigh more than 10 to 15% of their body weight. For example, if your child weighs 60 pounds, their backpack should be under 6 to 9 pounds.
“A poorly fitted or overloaded backpack can place extra strain on a growing child's back, neck and shoulders,” said Wellstar Children’s of Georgia Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Albert Pendleton. “Watch for signs like shoulder pain, red strap marks or leaning forward while walking.”
Understand your emotions.
Emotional well-being is as important as physical health, and the new school year comes with a lot of change for kids. Help your child understand their feelings and how to cope by listening and validating their thoughts, talking through expectations, visiting their school and new classrooms, and looking ahead to what the year could be like.
With more than 80 pediatric locations across Georgia, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia is always here to support families through the big leaps, growing pains and everything in between. Find a pediatrician near you and book your child’s back-to-school exam so they can start the year strong.
Highlights
When and Why to Visit the Pediatric Emergency Department
When your child experiences a medical emergency, you want them to have the care they need right away. At the five Wellstar Pediatric Emergency Departments (ED) at Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia and Wellstar Cobb, Wellstar Douglas, Wellstar Kennestone and Wellstar Paulding Medical Centers, you’ll find expert treatment designed just for kids.
Why visit a Pediatric Emergency Department?
“We have a common saying in pediatric emergency medicine that ‘children aren’t just little adults.’ Children’s bodies and the health problems that affect them are very different from adults,” said Pediatric Emergency Physician Dr. Christopher Graves. “When you visit a pediatric ED, you can trust that your child is receiving age-appropriate evaluation and care.”
This can often mean finding a diagnosis through physical examinations and a thorough patient history with less reliance on invasive testing. When testing is needed, rest assured that your child’s care team has training in pediatric medicine and knows what tests and medications are needed to keep your child safe.
When should you go to the pediatric ED?
“If you feel your child is experiencing a life-threatening symptom such as trouble breathing, loss of consciousness, severe allergic reaction or bleeding that's hard to control, you should go to the ED or call 911. Remember to talk with your child's provider during your visits about when you should worry,” said Wellstar Pediatrician Dr. Sandra Rodriguez-Sfeir. “Some things are age-specific—like a temperature at 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above in a baby under 2 months absolutely needs to go to the ED. Don't wait to see your pediatrician in the morning.”
There may also be urgent care centers in your area. Urgent care can be a great option for non-life-threatening conditions such as common colds, mild flu-like symptoms or earaches. Read more about where to go when your child isn’t feeling well.
“Some families struggle to decide whether they should go to an ED or urgent care. I have always told families—you are never wrong to come to a pediatric ED,” Dr. Graves said. “If you are worried about the life or safety of your child, you’ve come to the right place.”
Introducing your pediatric ED team
When you come to a pediatric ED, you will meet healthcare providers who have chosen to make children their focus. Our care teams know that children have unique needs based on their social and emotional development. Pediatric ED doctors, nurses and advanced practice providers have years of experience working with children, and they have learned how to approach children in a way that reduces their anxiety and fear. Acts as simple as examining a stuffed animal or blowing up a glove into a balloon can turn a crying child into a smiling child.
Doctors are only one part of the team. Pediatric ED nurses have expertise in administering medications, placing IVs and performing other bedside procedures. When these types of interventions are needed, you can trust that the nurses, medics and ED techs who help with these processes have abundant experience.
“Children are special and should be treated by nurses that specialize in their care. Emergency rooms can be a scary place for children and families,” said Jacqueline Rimer, a Wellstar pediatric emergency department nurse. “Wellstar pediatric nurses combine compassion and expertise to create an environment that reduces fear and anxiety while also providing quality, specialized care children and families deserve.”
Our child life specialists are trained to work directly with children and families to offer education, emotional support and distraction during procedures. Coming to the pediatric ED is tough for many kids, but having the right team can make things a little easier. That makes all the difference.
Highlights
Wellstar Expands Primary Care in Lovejoy
To serve our community’s growing healthcare needs, Wellstar has opened a new location in Lovejoy with primary care services.
Primary care is ongoing, comprehensive care and preventative medicine that helps you live a full, healthy life. Visit Wellstar Primary Care for:
- Non-emergent health concerns
- Chronic conditions
- Routine checkups and annual wellness exams
- New or worsening symptoms
- Immunizations
Hampton
11400 Tara Blvd.
(943) 202-8800
Benefits of a primary care clinician
The main role of a primary care clinician is to keep you healthy at every age and stage of life. To keep you feeling your best, these experts are trained to:
- Get to know and understand your unique health needs. Your primary care team can keep you on track with your individual wellness goals, whether you are planning to start a family, need help managing a chronic illness or want to maintain a healthy weight.
- Coordinate care and provide referrals for specialists. Your primary care team can quickly and seamlessly get you in touch with the robust network of medical experts, such as cardiologists, oncologists, neurologists and more at Wellstar.
- Keep you up-to-date on immunizations and vaccinations. You can build up your body’s immunity to common diseases and protect your health with the latest vaccines, all ordered by your primary care clinician.
- Order appropriate health screenings, diagnostic tests and follow-up care. If your wellness check-up reveals certain risk factors, chronic conditions or new diagnoses, your primary care clinician can help you get the right treatment fast.
- Treat you for acute illnesses, such as colds or the flu. When you feel under the weather, your established primary care clinician can often get you an appointment sooner so you can feel better.
Learn more about primary care at Wellstar.
