Helping kids and parents through life’s most challenging events.
At Child Life On Call, we provide tools and resources to help you navigate the stress and uncertainty of a medical diagnosis or procedure.
Children don’t come with an instruction manual.
Even if you read all the books about what to expect when you’re, well, you know, none of them prepared you for what to do when your child needs medical attention.
That’s why we’re here.
At Child Life On Call, we provide resources to help you and your child cope with any illness, diagnosis, or medical procedure.
Resources like our parent starter kit.
When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
- Give medicine to your child without it becoming a wrestling match
- Prepare your child (and yourself) for a shot so they can feel less anxious
- Create and use a coping plan for any medical appointment or procedure
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing.
We’ll show you how.
You don’t have to figure this out on your own.
All of our resources are designed to support you, so you can better support your child.
Podcast
Connect to a community of parents who understand what you’re going through because they’ve been there too.
Print & Share
Access our free library of resources created by a child life specialist, so you can better advocate for your child.
Blog
Approach every medical situation with calm and confidence. Our blog gives you timely advice and assurance from experts.
Virtual Visits
Receive personalized care for you and your child when you schedule a 1:1 virtual session with a certified child life specialist.
Katie Taylor, CEO and Founder of Child Life On
Call and Certified Child Life Specialist.
Hi there! I’m Katie.
I’ve spent the last 12 years as a child life specialist, using my expertise in child development to help kids and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury, and treatment. From using play to demonstrate procedures, to teaching coping strategies, to supporting parents and educating them on everything happening to their child, I know first hand how critical it is for children and families to have the support they need.
I’m also a mom. I know how fiercely we love our children, and how terrifying it is when they get sick. Even “routine procedures” like ear tubes or tonsillectomies don’t feel routine when it’s your little one on the table. And when there’s no one there to walk you through it or stand by your side? It’s paralyzing.
I created Child Life On Call as a way to support parents and kids during life’s most challenging events.
You deserve to feel confident, assured, and empowered to advocate for your child’s needs.
And with our tools and resources, now you can.
Partnering with facilities to bring you the Child Life On Call App
Putting tools and resources in the palm of your hand.
With the Child Life On Call app you’ll be able to:
Understand medical terms and procedures
Prepare your child (and yourself) for appointments and surgeries
Offer comfort and use age-appropriate coping strategies with your child
Feel empowered to ask questions and advocate for your child
Be seen, heard, and understood by your child’s care team
Feel less stressed and overwhelmed, and feel more certain making decisions for your child
Parents get this app for FREE through partner facilities.
Empowerment in your ears.
Listen to the latest Child Life On Call Podcast episodes here, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Resources at your fingertips.
Explore 10 free downloads on a variety of child and health related topics.
Book and Resource List: Childhood Cancer
Therapeutic Activity: Feelings Uno!
Financial Assistance For Illness-Related Expenses
Book and Resource List: Autism
Book and Resource List: Type 1 Diabetes
Therapeutic Activity: Write A Letter
Therapeutic Activity: Bucket List
Procedure Support: Coping Plan
Book and Resource List: Cancer Siblings
Therapeutic Activity: Worry Boxes
Education and assurance from an expert.
Access trusted advice on timely topics from certified child life specialists.
Tips to Help a Patient Cope with a Fear of Needles
By: Katie Taylor, CCLS Child Life On Call This is a sponsored post by Gebauer Company, makers of Pain Ease Needle phobia is seldom just about the moment of the injection. It’s a whole combination of things including the lead up, the actual process, the feelings and...
How to Help Kids Take Medicine In and Out of the Hospital
This blog was originally posted for SmileMakers Inc and I was compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. Taking medications can be one of the most anxiety-provoking experiences for children and families in the hospital. Here are a few scenarios for you: Case...
Connecting with Compassion.
I have been keeping this surprise tucked in close to my heart and now I'm so excited to share with you this much needed brand update for #childlifeoncall. Leave it to HK Art + Design to know how to put the essence of this community into one beautiful design. Nothing...
Holidays in the Hospital
Originally posted on SmileMakers Inc Let’s get real. The hospital has never really been a place that people want to go, and now in the midst of a global pandemic… well, let’s just say it may be the last place on EARTH that people want to be. That’s why decorating for...
Comfort Positioning in Pediatrics: Improving Safety and Comfort during Medical Procedures
Comfort positioning in pediatrics is an important topic for parents to understand because it is an alternative to the traditional technique of holding children down for procedures. As a child life specialist, I have seen firsthand the benefits that comfort positioning...
How to talk to a child about death and dying: A guide for parents and professionals
When we become parents or choose to work with children as a profession, we often think about the most rewarding parts: hearing a child’s laughter, being a trusted adult in their life and offering joy whenever possible. However, the “trusted adult” side of supporting...
[For Students] Advice from Child Life Specialists
I started this service because I wish there would have been someone around to help me when I was a student. I went to my dad for all of my application and interview questions and he is one of the main reasons I was successful. But, what about those people who don’t...
