DISCOVER The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department
August 2022
Child Life Brings Joy Throughout Isabella’s Long Journey At just 2 months old, Isabella was admitted to Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital with her parents by her side. Isabella spent four months on her medical journey, having multiple procedures and ultimately a liver transplant. Throughout her treatment, the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy team in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and on P5 worked closely with Isabella and her parents to provide emotional support, developmentally appropriate toys, and stimulation activities – all to enhance her coping throughout hospitalization. Isabella, always dressed in cute outfits with beautiful bows brought in by her mom, lit up her room. Isabella’s room was a personalized space filled with toys and decorations that spoke to her personality and the love her parents shared for her. Both parents frequently alternated at bedside, going home to care for their 2year-old at home and coming back to care for Isabella at bedside. Throughout their admission, they were seen weekly by child life, animal assisted therapy, and music therapy. Isabella and her family enjoyed milestone celebrations with weekly pictures marking developmental milestones and her growth. In the moments before they were finally discharged from the hospital, the family reminisced about the many touch points that helped them cope, especially visits from animal assisted therapy and music therapy. From petting Professor and Amos to listening to the sounds of music therapists Jasmine and Todd for environmental stimulation, both parents shared the positive impact of child life during their time in the hospital. We are going to miss Amos brings smiles and comfort to Isabella and Isabella and her family, and we are so happy for this family to be home finally! her parents.
Virtual Water Table in the Child Life Zone Brings Comfort for Patients While Waiting Thanks to a generous gift from The Garth Brook’s Teammates for Kids Foundation, the Child Life Zone now has a custom-built, virtual water table for patients and families. The interactive table, which features a 46-inch color monitor, offers children, teenagers, and adults alike an opportunity to engage in a unique sensory experience within the Zone. With a gentle touch on the monitor, patients can directly interact with the virtual environment- digging and creating images in the sand, redirecting the flow of water, feeding breadcrumbs to ducks, and experimenting with many other fun features.
A young patient enjoys the interactive entertainment of the water table.
For pediatric patients waiting in the Child Life Zone prior to an ambulatory surgery, the option to play “in the water” helps to mitigate the stress and anxiety associated with an impending surgical experience. For one young patient, moving the sand and strategically creating islands within the water brought a sense of comfort and happiness within the unfamiliar hospital setting. For caregivers, watching their children readily play in the midst of a healthcare encounter offers a much-appreciated respite from their own complex thoughts and feelings. “We are grateful to Teammates for Kids for helping us bring this innovative technology into our Child Life Zone and for their ongoing commitment to enhancing the emotional well-being of our pediatric population,” explained Zone Clinical Coordinator Cheryl Strauss, CCLS. LB 2019
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Pride Month: A Celebration of Identity, Individuality and Self-Expression The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy department offered a variety of educational and expressive activities throughout June to mark pride month. A pride activity station complete with coloring sheets, button making, and model magic rainbows was set up in the Zone for patients and families throughout the month. On KidZone TV, pride month was recognized through bingo, educational stories, and art. A highlight of the month-long celebration was pride bandana making on “Dog Talk” with Sydney Epstein, child life specialist and facility dog, Amos. Patients were provided with a blank bandana and encouraged to decorate the bandanas with the prompt “This is me.” Even after the month of June is over, patients and family members will continue to be encouraged to celebrate the ways they are unique throughout the entire year!
Moby and Amos model their personalized pride bandanas.
Introducing Ashley Ervin, Our First Ever Dance Movement Therapist Ashley Ervin, a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist originally from St. Louis, Missouri, holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts from George Mason University and a Master’s Degree in Dance/Movement Therapy from Pratt Institute. She is also a Reiki level II practitioner. Ashley’s therapeutic approach often includes the use of movement, rhythm, imagery, play, multisensory stimulation, and mindfulness. She has had the privilege of working in various settings such as an acute long-term residential facility, private practice, foster care agency, and an organization for young adults on the Autism spectrum. She is grateful to be able to share and support the experience of dance and movement with the Mount Sinai Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department. Welcome, Ashley!
Introducing Michelle Badejo, P5 Child Life Specialist Michelle Badejo, a certified child life specialist, recently joined the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy team on P5 and P4 South. Michelle graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing degree from her home city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. After working as an RN in pediatric medicine and pediatric hospice, Michelle went on to complete post-graduate training in child life. Michelle now uses her expertise in those areas to care for hospitalized children and families who are experiencing acute and chronic illness. Whether it is medical play, diagnosis education, preparing for procedures or creating a coping plan, Michelle helps children and their families have a good healthcare experience by attending to each family’s individual needs. As a certified child life specialist, Michelle supports the psychosocial and developmental needs of children and uses therapeutic play to prevent trauma caused by hospitalization. Michelle is passionate about ensuring child life services are available to children everywhere, and as such, she has volunteered her skills and interned in various international destinations including Israel, South Africa, and Kenya. Although she is an avid traveler, for now, you are most likely to find Michelle playing air hockey in the Zone or making a batch of slime with a friend in the P5 playroom.
Staff Accomplishments Jackie Craig will serve as a mentor for six months in the LINC Mentorship Program. Diane Rode facilitated a full day intensive in May 2022 on Reflective Practice at the annual Association of Child Life Professionals in the National Harbor.
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A Touching Moment in the NICU This month in the NICU, a very patient big sister met her precious baby sister for the first time! Due to the on-going pandemic, only two caregivers at a time are allowed to visit their babies in the NICU. With advocacy from NICU child life, the four-month old baby girl finally met her big sister. Along with some sibling cuddles, the family exchanged gifts during the visit. Child life was on hand to capture this very special moment for the family with photos.
Siblings meet for the first time in the NICU.
Music Therapy Interactions Benefit Patients and Staff Our music therapists are licensed mental health professionals who facilitate live music experiences to mitigate anxiety, promote relaxation, and encourage expression, thoughts, and feelings. In this photo, Jasmine Edwards, music therapist, engaged in an active music making experience with a patient, focusing on gross motor support and self-expression. This patient was working on addressing some left side weakness and changes in verbal communication following a stroke. Music therapy proved to be an opportunity for her to use her left arm and her voice within a motivating, playful, and reciprocal music making experience. Our music therapists also offer opportunities for staff members to engage in collaborative music experiences for their own selfcare and well-being. Van Don Williams, pediatric chief resident, and Sandeep Gangadharan, attending physician, joined music therapists Todd and Jasmine on KZTV’s “Café Music” show to perform several songs for both patients and staff. This proved to be an example of how shared musical experiences can support for community and build rapport.
Paws & Play Team Offers Comfort to Adult Patients Jaclyn Craig, licensed creative arts therapist and Paws & Play primary dog handler of Moby, has been supporting patient Gigi, a 24-year-old patient admitted to the cardiac stepdown unit as she prepares for a dual heart and liver transplant. Jaclyn and Moby support clinical teams and patients in the adult hospital. Animal assisted therapy helps facilitate relaxation, positive coping, and socialization for Gigi during her extended admission. Gigi processes her hospital experience with Jaclyn, licensed creative arts therapist, as she engages in a session with Moby.
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Art Therapy Spotlight: REFLECTIONS Summer 2022 The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department is proud to present the most recent edition of REFLECTIONS: The Zone's Teen Art and Literary Magazine. This publication of the magazine focuses on the theme of miracles and adversities with insights and concepts provided by the hospital’s adolescent patients, youth advisory council, and community members. This collection of authentic and meaningful work reflects the lived experiences of our teens and young adults, specifically as it relates to one's medical journey. For a copy of REFLECTIONS Summer 2022 edition, please ask a member of the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department, visit the family corner. Point your cell phone camera at this code and follow the prompt to view the full publication!
Ashley Rosario, 21, created this watercolor painting.
Milena, creates these 3-D pieces of art from found objects including dried flowers, acorns, and twigs.
Lauren Burkes-Moore, 19 created this piece.
This drawing titled 'A Moment that Shaped Me" was created by Liani Diaz, 16.