Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department | UC Davis Children's Hospital

Health care experiences and hospitalization can be hard for children and families. Our team works with patients, families, and the medical staff to provide services that meet the unique psychosocial and developmental needs of each child and family.

Child Life and Creative Art Therapy services are offered in many different locations throughout UC Davis Children’s Hospital; please view the "Our Team" tab for more details on where you can find us. 

Art therapy is a non-verbal form of therapy that involves the creative process to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of patients and families. You do not need to have artistic training to participate in and receive benefits from art therapy. The art therapists at UC Davis Children’s Hospital provide individual and group art therapy sessions for children of all ages and developmental levels. These opportunities promote self-expression, communication and coping through art.

Art therapy can help:

• Increase self-esteem and build confidence
• Express trauma and body image
• Adjustment and coping skills
• Process difficult emotions
• Provide opportunity for socialization and family bonding
• Teach developmental skills
• Improve and increase physical movement

During art therapy sessions, a variety of art techniques may be used, including:

• Painting
• Drawing
• Collage
• Sculpting
• Textile Art
• Digital Art
• Photography

Music therapy combines music interventions and techniques to help patients accomplish individualized goals with the support of a board-certified music therapist. Patients do not have to know how to play an instrument in order to benefit from music therapy. The music therapists at UC Davis Children’s Hospital collaborate directly with the patient’s care team to provide appropriate music therapy services throughout the patient’s hospitalization.

Music therapy can help:

• Cope with being in the hospital
• Manage and decrease pain
• Decrease anxiety and stress
• Express feelings
• Bond with family
• Improve and increase physical activity
• Promote developmental milestones
• Provide opportunities for legacy making

During music therapy sessions, a variety of music techniques may be used, including:

• Singing
• Exploring instruments or learning to play an instrument
• Playing musical games
• Relaxing to music
• Writing a song
• Moving to music
• Learning how to DJ
• Recording music

School is an important part of every child’s routine. While children are in the hospital, they are encouraged to continue their education and achieve their academic goals through the hospital school program.

As members of the patient care team, our two full-time credentialed teachers collaborate with the patient’s classroom and/or home instruction teacher to develop an education plan for the child’s hospital stay.

Educational sessions for K-12 patients are provided in a small group setting or at the patient’s bedside, as medically appropriate. A parent or guardian's signature is required to enroll.

Hospital school teachers provide patient and family support in the following areas:

• Assessment of educational needs and instructional support for hospitalized patients K-12
• Development of academically inviting curriculum when patient’s own schoolwork is not obtainable
• Provision of support and advocacy resources to parents/guardians (Home Hospital Instruction enrollment forms, IEP/504 plans, Illness/Injury materials for teachers, etc.)
• Assistance with school re-entry prior to discharge from the hospital

Having play spaces within the hospital encourages children to PLAY! Play supports development and coping. Within most pediatric units, there are designated play spaces to promote creativity and socialization outside of their hospital room. These playrooms are staffed by child life department team members, along with school and community volunteers. Patients on isolation precaution are unable to go to playrooms, however, most play and craft items can be delivered to the patient's room. As well, patients on isolation can participate in group programming virtually.

(The hours and availability of each playroom are varied. For the most up-to-date information, please ask your bedside nurse or child life specialist.)

Davis 7 Playroom (General Pediatrics)

Located on Davis 7, the playroom is filled with games, books, arts, crafts, and is also where much of our group programming happens.

Davis 7 Teen Lounge (General Pediatrics)

Located in the middle of Davis 7, this room is meant for teens to connect, play games, read, and create! Ask a bedside nurse or child life specialist if your teenager would like to go to the teen lounge. Watch the video.

Tower 6 Playroom (Acute Care Pediatrics)

This playroom is a space where patients can go to participate in activities, groups, or choose items for their room. There are mobile gaming systems and DVD players that can be provided at bedside.

Davis 10 Playroom (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit)

Designated for critical patients and their families, the Davis 10 playroom provides a space for respite and play. The playroom contains games, books, arts and crafts, and developmentally appropriate toys.

Panda Cares Center of Hope 

This space provides specially curated programs that address each child’s entire well-being, including their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. This will include therapeutic play, art therapy, music therapy and academic enrichment, all designed to give children courage and strength through their hospitalization. Watch the video.