Child Life Program
Child‑Centered Support for Coping, Healing, and Growth in New Jersey
When a child is in the hospital, it can be overwhelming for them and for you. Our Child Life Program is here to make that experience a little less scary and a lot more supportive. Our child life specialists use developmentally appropriate play, emotional support, and creative expression, to help children better understand what’s happening, reduce stress, and feel more in control.
We’re here to support the whole child, emotionally, socially, and developmentally, while also offering guidance and comfort to New Jersey families every step of the way.
What Child Life Specialists do
Child Life Specialists help children and families cope with a serious illness or a hospital stay. As experts in child development and psychology, they focus on helping kids feel safe and reducing stress. Support includes:
- Play, psychological preparation, and self‑expression to build positive coping skills
- Clear, age‑appropriate explanations so children know what to expect
Creative Arts Therapy
Our Creative Arts Therapists use music, art, and dance/movement to help children:
- Practice healthy coping strategies and manage emotions
- Decrease anxiety and feel more in control
- Support pain management through creative, child‑centered activities
Volunteers and special visits
Volunteers brighten hospital days with pet therapy, arts and crafts, and seasonal activities. Kids also enjoy special visitors like Santa, NY Giant Rookies, Disney characters, Project Sunshine, HOP, and hospital clowns.
How we help your child and family
- Medical play to ease fears and clear up misconceptions
- Simple, child‑friendly explanations of diagnoses, tests, and procedures
- Creative arts that encourage communication, empowerment, and healing
- Support for siblings throughout the hospital experience
- Events and special visits that make time in the hospital more enjoyable
- Palliative and bereavement support for families who need it
- Developmental evaluations to help children keep meeting milestones during their stay and recovery
- Distraction and focus techniques to lessen pain and anxiety during procedures
- Therapeutic support through play, preparation, and self‑expression
- Safe, child‑friendly playrooms for children and families
Internships and practicums
Child Life internship overview
The Child Life internship at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center offers a well‑rounded experience to build the skills needed for a child life career. The program supports each intern’s strengths while developing clinical skills.
- Semesters offered: Spring, Summer, Fall/Winter
- Application format: ACLP Internship Readiness Common Application (available on the ACLP website)
The child life internship offered at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center provides a well-rounded program to gain crucial skills to become a successful child life professional. The child life program fosters each intern’s unique strengths and abilities, while helping them develop their clinical skills.
How to apply or ask questions
Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital
- Email the downloaded application to childlifeinternship@hmhn.org
- Note: For this internship, students must be affiliated with a college or university
K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital
- Email the downloaded application to childlifekhch@hmhn.org
- Note: At this time, all applications (current students or graduates) are being considered
How the Child Life Program can help you and your family
Advice for Identifying and Preventing Child Abuse
3 Things to Stop Saying To Your Child
