Child Life Clinical Internship Curriculum - Child Life Council

Module 12
Palliative and End‐of‐Life Care
Clinical Learning Goals
The child life intern will develop a working knowledge of the concepts of palliative and endof‐life
care and the role of child life specialists in this practice. This will include assessing and
supporting families’ preferences related to involving children and adolescents in decisionmaking
and planning goals of care. In addition, the child life intern will engage in activities
related to the assessment and psychosocial support of children and families facing and/or
experiencing loss.
Related Child Life Competencies
I. Care of Infants, Children, Youth and Families
A. The ability to assess and meaningfully interact with infants, children, youth and
families.
Identify child’s and family’s concept of illness
Identify child’s and family’s concept of death and dying
Utilize therapeutic/creative modalities such as bibliotherapy to meet
individual and emotional needs.
Support the central role of the family, valuing strengths and needs in
implementing child life services.
C. The ability to assist infants, children, youth and families in coping with
potentially stressful events.
Identify factors that may impact vulnerability to stress.
Describe coping behaviors specific to various age groups and
populations.
Describe immediate and long‐term coping styles and techniques, as
well as the effect on adjustment and behavior.
Facilitate mastery of potentially stressful experiences.
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