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. The shadow program will be held twice a month on a Monday or Thursday, normally falling on the third week of the month. Shadows will first take part in an orientation including information about child life at Children’s National and will then have the chance to observe child life specialists in both inpatient and outpatient settings. We recommend that applicants review the Association of Child Life Professionals website to learn more prior to shadowing.