Practicum Program Components

Program Schedule / Assignment Locations

The Division of Child Life and Integrative Care has responsibility for patient care 365 days a year with morning, afternoon and evening programs at various buildings and campuses throughout Cincinnati. As a result, schedules and assignment locations of practicum students at Cincinnati Children's will vary.

Practicum Format

Orientation

• Students will participate in informational in-services.

Clinical Rotations

• Students will be individually assigned to observe a CCLS in the outpatient or inpatient clinical setting.

Additionally:

• Students will meet with the practicum coordinator for discussion focused on solidifying quality learning.

Practicum Syllabus includes:

• Essays & discussion based on the Association of Child Life Professionals Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Case Reports based on observed patients representing developmental theory 
• Recommended Reflective Daily Journal 
• Recommended Question and Terminology Logs
• Recommended Patient Support Tracking Log
• Observation Guide of non-clinical patient environments

Goals and Objectives

Through completion of assignments, Practicum students will achieve these goals / objectives. 

Goals and Objectives of Child Life Practicum 

1. To become familiar with the child life profession through in-person clinical observation.
2. To gain an understanding of the impact of health care on the emotional and developmental needs of children and families.
3. To develop skills through patient interactions as guided by a CCLS.
4. To recognize creative and flexible programming that meets patients’ and families’ psychosocial needs.
5. To begin transition from student to professional, developing professional attitude, growth, maturity and judgment.
6.  To evaluate oneself under the guidance of experienced professionals.
7.  To begin to develop a professional mission statement that will drive one’s future education and work.