Child Life Specialist Personal Statement

Even though the needs for psychosocial support for children and families has increased, child life specialists are not common in Japan. However, I feel it is important and necessary to provide emotional and social support for children and families in the hospitals, in all countries. In addition, I experienced the loss of my close friend when I was in high school. I struggled to cope with the stress, pain, and emotions involved in the grief process. At the same time, I was shocked that I could not support the family of my close friend enough. This experience made me realize that if I do not educate myself professionally in child life, then I will not even be able to support the people closest to me. After this experience, I became more passionate about providing support for children and families in difficult situations, especially the hospital setting.
I believe that children’s development and learning should be supported and encouraged regardless of situation, culture, race, religion, gender, age, and socioeconomic status. Child life …show more content…
Patients and families should be recognized as active participants in their medical treatment. Child life specialists can support children and families by communication with medical staff and others, and advocating the patient-/family-centered care in the hospital setting is one of the reasons why I want to go into the child life field.
I understand the necessity to establish and develop child life practices internationally. I feel the significant importance of the child life practice in hospital settings and stressful situations. Japanese children’s hospitals need to develop child life practices more to support children and families who are in crisis. Needs of child life practice is universal, and child life practice can contribute to children’s quality of life worldwide. This is another big reason why I want to go into the child life