Child Life Clinical Internship Curriculum - Child Life Council

Module 4
Communication
Clinical Learning Goals
The child life intern will develop and apply in practice a working knowledge of communication
concepts and strategies that serve as a foundation for effective communication skills in
supporting children and families. In addition, the intern will increase her/his understanding
of communication styles and preferences within the health care team and incorporate this
understanding in communicating and advocating for the needs of children and families.
Related Child Life Competencies
I. Care of Infants, Children, Youth and Families
B. The ability to provide a safe, therapeutic and healing environment for infants,
children, youth and families.
Utilize effective communication skills in the process of supporting children
and families.
D. The ability to provide teaching, specific to the population served, including
psychological preparation for potentially stressful experiences, with infants,
children, youth and families.
Recognize verbal and nonverbal cues and adapt teaching accordingly.
Use minimally threatening, developmentally supportive language.
E. The ability to continuously engage in self‐reflective professional child life practice.
Articulate the impact of one’s own culture, values, beliefs, and behaviors
on interactions with diverse populations.
F. The ability to function as a member of the services team
Communicate concisely with other professionals, integrating theory and
evidence‐based practice to obtain and share pertinent information.
II.
Education and Supervision
A. The ability to represent and communicate child life practice and psychosocial
issues of infants, children, youth and families to others.
Describe and integrate the basic concepts of public speaking and teaching
methods appropriate to subject matter and audience.
Demonstrate effective advocacy for child life practice and psychosocial
issues.
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