Child Life Services Shadow Program

Children’s National offers a Child Life Services Shadow Program for individuals 18 years and older that are interested in pursuing the field of child life. At Children’s National, our Child Life Specialists help create a positive experience for families during their child’s outpatient visit or inpatient hospital admission. Our Child Life Specialists are specially trained and certified to help children, adolescents, and families understand and cope with illness, treatment, and hospitalization.

The shadow program is a one time, strictly observational opportunity that will allow individuals to experience first-hand the work of a certified child life specialist. Shadowing is offered as a half-day opportunity with two one-and-a-half-hour shadow with an outpatient and inpatient specialist and an hour with program coordinators. The shadow program is only offered on Mondays or Thursdays (not on major holidays) from either 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. We recommend that applicants review the Association of Child Life Professionals website to learn more prior to shadowing.