At Banner Gateway, child life specialists bring the pediatric perspective to the clinical setting and help maintain a sense of comfort and security for patients.

These specialists work to empower children and their families as they navigate through the many stages of illness or injury. Taking into account the unique social, emotional and psychological needs of pediatric patients, child life specialists strive to reduce the anxiety that children often experience in a hospital setting.

The role of the child life specialist is guided by theories surrounding child development, play, stress and coping, and family systems. This knowledge enables the child life specialist to connect with pediatric patients on a level that suits their understanding and view of the world around them. 

Child life specialists at Banner Gateway also are available to provide parents with information on child development, adjustment to illness, and the correlation between play and coping.