Guest Blogger, Anita Ginsburg Grieving the loss of a loved one can be difficult for children, especially when they’re not sure what to do or how to process the emotions they are feeling. We all handle grief differently, but there are some tips that can help make things easier for young people. Here are 4 ways parents and caregivers can help children cope with grief and move forward in their lives. Acknowledge Their Feelings: It is important for children to know that whatever feelings they experience—whether it is anger, sadness, guilt, fear or confusion—it is okay to feel them. Letting them k ..read more

I’m always excited to learn about a new organization that is supporting children and families. I recently connected with Emma Edwards-Lipnicky, the President and CEO of Liv Like a Unicorn. Learn about the foundation that they have helped set up to honor their beautiful daughter, Olivia. Guest Blogger, Emma Edwards-Lipnicky Liv like a Unicorn was started by 8-year-old Olivia “Liv” Lipnicky after she was diagnosed with a fatal form of brain/spinal cord cancer. The summer she was sick Liv raised $10,000 for pediatric cancer. Her foundation continues in her memory. Liv like a Unicorn supports chi ..read more

Guest Blogger, Dixie Somers Going to the dentist is not always a pleasant experience, especially for children. The unfamiliar environment and sharp dental instruments can be overwhelming for kids, so it’s important that you take steps to prepare them for their first visit. Here are some tips to help make your child’s first trip to the dentist a positive one. Educate and Reassure Your Child It is important that your child knows what they can expect during their visit, so explain the process in simple terms with language they can understand. Let your child know that the dentist will be examining ..read more

This morning I worked with an elementary class that is coping with the recent loss of a peer.  We started the session off with a choice of a Beanie Baby as a comfort item. The class was filled with laughter and tiny voices as they shared their Beanie Baby names and “ their ancient birthdates, 1996”.  I then did some illness education on what caused their friend to become sick and die. There were lots of questions, and misconceptions were clarified. The students then began to describe their friend and shared some wonderful memories. We wrote them down on the smart board. Some of the ..read more

It was an honor to be part of the Wonders & Worries podcast last week with Julie May. Our second season closes with a very special guest. In this podcast, we are joined by Shani Thornton, CCLS as she collaborates to share a Child Life Specialist’s take on Oprah’s Favorite Things. Resources in the community, favorite calming techniques, the best things about supporting kids… it’s all in there. Click Here to take a listen  The post Child Life Specialists Take on Oprah’s Favorite Things appeared first on Child Life Mommy ..read more

Guest Blogger, Dixie Somers  Your child means everything to you. Taking them to get an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) can leave you with a lot of questions. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to make the process go as smoothly as possible for them, and for you. Understand What’s Happening An MRI is a non-invasive procedure used to diagnose illnesses and injuries. Using strong magnets and radio-frequency bursts, computers can put together detailed and accurate images of the insides of your child’s body. Most MRIs only take 15 minutes, depending on the range of imaging needed. Because ..read more

Six out of 10 U.S. adults have a chronic illness and four out of 10 have two or more medical conditions. It is also estimated that 10 million children in the U.S. may provide some form of caregiving for adults at home. Grief and loss are also very much a part of children’s lives. It is crucial for children and teens to receive appropriate support. Join me for a FREE virtual workshop on Tuesday, November 15th, 4-5 pm PST.  Learn how to communicate medical information to children & teens while fostering healthy family relationships. Click here to register  “Sandwiched” is a s ..read more

Pre-Order your Copy Today 50% Discount Code IGI50  While the genesis of the Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) is in the healthcare setting, the theory and practice of child life have been successfully applied to environments outside of the healthcare field. The interest and pursuit of child life roles in non-healthcare settings have increasingly become of interest to students and professionals; however, further study is required to understand the various challenges and opportunities. The Role of Child Life Specialists in Community Settings serves as an innovative guide for those ..read more

Shani Thornton is a Certified Child Life Specialist that supports children coping with illness, trauma, loss, and transitions. She will be facilitating a hands-on learning workshop for families. Young children can feel overwhelmed and fearful of medical and dental experiences. The teddy bear workshop is designed to educate and support families on useful tools that ease fears and trauma, strengthen advocacy skills, and provide them with a positive healthcare experience. Children are given an opportunity to play with real and pretend medical materials, which help them become familiarized with t ..read more

Join me and other amazing presenters for a two-day virtual conference for child life students and professionals. There are various topics with a total of 12.5 PDUs. The cost is $30 for students and $50 for professionals. Click Here to Register      The post Virtual Child Life Conference appeared first on Child Life Mommy ..read more