by Thomas Hobson
Child Life Director

Most people would agree that coming to hospital can be an overwhelming experience.  There are lots of new sights, sounds, and, of course, smells.  Combined, they make a visceral experience that, depending on the complete circumstances, can stay with you.

In Child Life Services, we realize that children experience their time here at Le Bonheur Children’s differently from adults.  One of the most obvious factors is their height, or perhaps, lack of height is a better way to say it. 

Another factor is the ability to read and/or reading comprehension.  Children see signs, and may not understand what they are seeing.  We try to be aware of the message a sign projects to non-readers.

Realizing how a child experiences something can help you to better prepare them for it.  Take time to look around your house and look at little things.  What is at your child’s eye level?  How do things look when they lay in their bed? You’d be surprised how different the world looks from their level.

Now, imagine that you are five years old, and you are coming to the hospital.  You are a towering 45 inches tall, and you think that you’ve seen it all.  You walk into the front door, and find that the hospital is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. Here's what it might look like: