4 answers
Baylee
Student
Elk Grove, California
1
Question
Asked
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How do I go about choosing classes, volunteer opportunities, internships and practicum to be a child life specialist?
I am a current college freshman studying psychology and thinking to include a minor in either education or global and community health. I love to work with kids and am very interested in this career path.
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4 answers
Christopher Leonidas, CPP, CPOI, cATO
security and risk independent consulting
1
Answer
Dumfries, Virginia
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
I recommend you to get with your program
advisor to help you with choosing courses that are related with/met the standards of the Association of Child Life Professionals. Classes should focus more on child development, psychology, family, medical terminology, trauma, child life practice and grief. Besides, you must volunteer at pediatrics/hospital or children camp for medical conditions or participating in community programs that meet your goals. Start with association of child life professionals because they’ll have standards and regulations and requirements set by the organization for the path you want to take. A child life practicum goes up to 200 hours while 600 hours required to level up from clinical internship to certified child life specialist.
advisor to help you with choosing courses that are related with/met the standards of the Association of Child Life Professionals. Classes should focus more on child development, psychology, family, medical terminology, trauma, child life practice and grief. Besides, you must volunteer at pediatrics/hospital or children camp for medical conditions or participating in community programs that meet your goals. Start with association of child life professionals because they’ll have standards and regulations and requirements set by the organization for the path you want to take. A child life practicum goes up to 200 hours while 600 hours required to level up from clinical internship to certified child life specialist.
Thank you for your help!
Baylee
Nhlakanipho Khumalo
Chairperson
1
Answer
Potchefstroom, North West, South Africa
Updated
Nhlakanipho’s Answer
You're already on a strong path with Psychology, now be intentional:
Classes: focus on Child developmental psychology, family studies, and health psychology. Add courses in grief, trauma, or counseling if available.
Minor choices:Global/community health is slightly more aligned with hospital settings than education
Experience: Volunteer in hospitals, pediatric wards, children's homes, or camps, anything involving kids in stressful medical environment
Internships: Prioritise placement in hospitals or clinics where you can observe child-patient interaction.
Extra: Get certified in basic life support(CPR) and build strong communications/play based interaction skills
The key is consistant hands-on work with children in healcare related settings, that's what programs look for most.
Classes: focus on Child developmental psychology, family studies, and health psychology. Add courses in grief, trauma, or counseling if available.
Minor choices:Global/community health is slightly more aligned with hospital settings than education
Experience: Volunteer in hospitals, pediatric wards, children's homes, or camps, anything involving kids in stressful medical environment
Internships: Prioritise placement in hospitals or clinics where you can observe child-patient interaction.
Extra: Get certified in basic life support(CPR) and build strong communications/play based interaction skills
The key is consistant hands-on work with children in healcare related settings, that's what programs look for most.
Wendy Steffani
Clinician/Child Therapist
4
Answers
Moreno Valley, California
Updated
Wendy’s Answer
It also depends what degree you are working on. The higher the degree, the more specialized the classes will be. Your school counselor will let you know what you need to take. In addition, most of your classes will require you to sign up for internships and/or practicum sites and they will help connect you to them or, at the very least, they will give you a list of what is required so that you can find an appropriate site. Congratulations on your journey. Keep going!!!
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1385
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Baylee,
You're already headed in the right direction, and it's good that you're thinking this early. It is quite possible to become a child life specialist with the correct combination of education and practical experience.
Building a strong foundation in psychology and child development should be the main focus of your classes. Very helpful are courses like developmental psychology, child psychology, family systems, abnormal psychology, and counseling fundamentals. Taking classes in health, grief and loss, or medical terminology will also help you because child life specialists work in healthcare settings. Your idea of adding a minor is smart; education helps with child development and learning, while community or global health can strengthen your understanding of healthcare systems. Choose the one that aligns more with your long-term interests.
Prioritize volunteer activities where you may work directly with children, particularly in stressful or adjusting environments. Children's clinics, childcare facilities, schools, camps, hospitals (including pediatric sections), and charitable organizations that assist families and children are all good. Since child life specialists often help children with illness, operations, and hospital stays, if at all possible, make an effort to gain exposure to medical settings.
In the case of internships and practicums, you should be very intentional. A clinical internship is sometimes required for child life programs, so start looking into the criteria as soon as possible. Try out positions in family support services, child life assistant, or pediatric volunteer. Your profile will be enhanced by any regular experience working with children, even if you are unable to secure a hospital position right away.
A strong strategy is to start early and stay consistent. It’s better to have long-term involvement in a few meaningful roles than to jump between many short experiences. Additionally, make an effort to establish connections with mentors or supervisors who can help you and later offer solid recommendations.
Lastly, keep an eye on certification requirements in your country or region, as child life specialists often need specific coursework and supervised clinical hours.
You’re thinking about this in a very intentional way, which is exactly what this path requires. You'll put yourself in a great position for this career if you continue to match your education and experiences with your goal.
Best wishes!
You're already headed in the right direction, and it's good that you're thinking this early. It is quite possible to become a child life specialist with the correct combination of education and practical experience.
Building a strong foundation in psychology and child development should be the main focus of your classes. Very helpful are courses like developmental psychology, child psychology, family systems, abnormal psychology, and counseling fundamentals. Taking classes in health, grief and loss, or medical terminology will also help you because child life specialists work in healthcare settings. Your idea of adding a minor is smart; education helps with child development and learning, while community or global health can strengthen your understanding of healthcare systems. Choose the one that aligns more with your long-term interests.
Prioritize volunteer activities where you may work directly with children, particularly in stressful or adjusting environments. Children's clinics, childcare facilities, schools, camps, hospitals (including pediatric sections), and charitable organizations that assist families and children are all good. Since child life specialists often help children with illness, operations, and hospital stays, if at all possible, make an effort to gain exposure to medical settings.
In the case of internships and practicums, you should be very intentional. A clinical internship is sometimes required for child life programs, so start looking into the criteria as soon as possible. Try out positions in family support services, child life assistant, or pediatric volunteer. Your profile will be enhanced by any regular experience working with children, even if you are unable to secure a hospital position right away.
A strong strategy is to start early and stay consistent. It’s better to have long-term involvement in a few meaningful roles than to jump between many short experiences. Additionally, make an effort to establish connections with mentors or supervisors who can help you and later offer solid recommendations.
Lastly, keep an eye on certification requirements in your country or region, as child life specialists often need specific coursework and supervised clinical hours.
You’re thinking about this in a very intentional way, which is exactly what this path requires. You'll put yourself in a great position for this career if you continue to match your education and experiences with your goal.
Best wishes!