Children's of Alabama is taking the month of March to honor the invaluable contributions of child life specialists, recognizing their profound impact on hospitalized children.

March is designated as Child Life Month, a time to highlight the essential role played by child life specialists in supporting children and their families throughout the medical journey. These professionals are trained in child development and play a crucial role in helping children navigate the challenges of illness and hospitalization.

At Children's of Alabama, the Child Life Team understands the stress and uncertainty that accompany illness and hospital stays for young patients and their families. Through tailored education, preparation and supportive activities, the team aims to alleviate stress and foster positive coping mechanisms during healthcare experiences.

“We recognize that it can be a very stressful and challenging time,” said Noelle Connor, a child life specialist at Children’s of Alabama. “It can be filled with uncertainty, and it can be filled with scary procedures, and it can be painful at times. We want to help children cope with that.”

Child life specialists are integral members of the healthcare team, possessing a minimum of a bachelor's degree in fields such as child life, child development or related disciplines. Professional certification for child life specialists is provided by the Association of Child Life Professionals.

The tools, materials and equipment utilized by child life specialists are made possible through the generosity of Spire, a dedicated supporter of the Child Life Program for several years. Spire recently sponsored the annual Valentine's Day card drive and matched donations collected during the event.

“The Child Life program at Children’s of Alabama is something that all of us at Spire are passionate about supporting,” said Joe Hampton, president of Spire Alabama, Mississippi and Gulf Coast. “The incredible work they do to enrich the lives of their patients has an impact on the whole community. That’s something we strive to do at Spire as well.”

On March 5, Spire further demonstrated its commitment by sponsoring a teddy bear clinic for patients. The clinic offers children the opportunity to assume the role of caregiver, guiding their new stuffed animals through simulated medical procedures they themselves experience daily, from triage to surgery.