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Child life services have roots as far back as the 1920s when hospital volunteers used play to help children cope. But the profession really came into its own in the 1960s, thanks to Emma Plank. Her groundbreaking book, Working with Children in Hospitals, provided a blueprint for addressing the unique needs of children during hospital stays and is still considered foundational in the field today.

Over the years, child life has grown far beyond hospital playrooms. Today, child life specialists provide support in a wide variety of settings, tailoring their care to meet the needs of both patients and their families. Whether offering emotional guidance, helping siblings adjust, or educating parents about medical procedures, child life professionals create a more supportive healthcare experience for everyone involved.

And now, let's fast forward to Annie's role as the Child Life Specialist at Hope for HIE. Her main objective is to help children and families navigate medicalized life by empowering and supporting both children and their caregivers and fostering the ability to advocate for their needs while simultaneously reducing stress, pain, and anxiety. This often looks like support for patients and their families facing surgeries, tests, procedures, diagnoses, and hospitalizations by offering preparation, creating personalized coping plans, providing education, fostering creative expression, and incorporating medical play.

There's no one "right age" to start the conversation—it really depends on your child. A good rule of thumb is to follow their lead. If your child begins asking questions, noticing differences between themselves and others, or showing curiosity about things like doctor visits, therapy, or medications, those are signs they may be ready to learn more.

Start simply, honestly, and straightforwardly. You don't need to dive into complex medical language—answer their questions in ways that match their age and understanding. And remember, this doesn't have to be a single, lengthy conversation. It's okay (and often helpful) for this to be a series of small, ongoing check-ins as your child grows and their understanding deepens.

The goal is to give them a sense of clarity and confidence about their story—on their terms and at their own pace.

A simple rule: if they're asking, they're ready.

Children who start wondering about their differences, asking questions about their abilities, or making comments about therapy, doctor visits, or medication are often showing signs they want to understand more. That's your cue to open the door gently and meet them where they are.

If they're not asking, that's okay, too. You don't need to force the conversation—stay open and ready. Let their questions guide how much to share, and keep your answers simple, honest, and age-appropriate. These talks don't have to cover everything all at once. Think of them as an ongoing conversation that will evolve alongside your child.

One effective strategy is to acknowledge their curiosity. If they ask, "What is HIE?" you might respond with, "That's a great question—what do you think it means?" With this, they know that you value their thoughts, and it also gives you insight into what they already understand and how you can support them.

It's completely natural to want to protect your child from anything that might feel scary or overwhelming. Many parents worry that bringing up HIE could do more harm than good—but in reality, honest, age-appropriate conversations are one of the best ways to build trust and resilience.

When you share simple, truthful information, you're helping your child understand their world in a way that feels safe and secure. You're also staying in control of how and when they receive that information, rather than leaving them to piece it together on their own.

Kids are incredibly perceptive. If they sense something is being hidden, it can lead to anxiety or even misunderstandings. They might overhear bits of adult conversations or notice things that don't add up, and without guidance, they may fill in the gaps with fear or confusion.

By talking openly and calmly, you're showing them that it's okay to ask questions—and that you'll always be someone they can turn to for honest answers. That kind of trust builds a strong foundation for coping, confidence, and connection.

When discussing HIE with your child, keeping the conversation simple, honest, and positive helps make it feel safe and supportive.

We’ve created this helpful guide to break it down for our Super Sibs—and it’s just as useful for this conversation. Take a look, then keep reading below!

You can also explain it like this:

You can also talk about the tools and people who help along the way:

If available, you can also use photos of the NICU experience to help:

You can talk about their specific impacts or outcomes. For instance, if Epilepsy is part of your child's HIE story, you can break it down this way:

Absolutely. Play is one of the most powerful ways children learn, process information, and cope with big feelings. Through play, kids can explore new ideas in a way that feels safe and familiar, and it can be a bridge to deeper conversations when your child is ready.

Here are a few play-based approaches that can help:

• Medical play with dolls or stuffed animals – Use real or pretend medical tools (like toy stethoscopes or syringes) to act out what they experienced or what doctors and nurses do. This helps normalize their experiences and build understanding.

• Creative building – Use household or craft items to build "models" of things they've seen or used. For example, straws, tape, and balloons can be used to model lungs. This type of hands-on activity can make medical concepts feel more approachable.

• Books and coloring pages – Find age-appropriate books or brain/body coloring pages to help talk about how the body works and what HIE means. Visual tools are especially helpful for children who learn best through visual and hands-on experiences.

• Storytelling and role play – Create a simple story about a character who has something similar to HIE. Let your child help tell the story or act it out. This can give them a sense of agency and connection.

• Videos or age-appropriate animations – Sometimes, a short video can help explain complex topics in a way that feels friendly and clear.

You don't have to do this alone—there are great resources out there to help explain medical topics in simple, age-appropriate ways. KidsHealth.org is a top favorite:

• KidsHealth.org – This site offers trusted, kid-friendly explanations of medical terms, body systems, and common conditions. It includes sections for parents, kids, and teens, so you can find language that fits your child's age and level of understanding.

📚 Looking for more? We've listed a few recommended books to help here!

These are big, important questions—and it's okay if they catch you off guard.

• Start by gently putting the question back on them: "What makes you wonder that?" or "What do you think?" This gives you a chance to understand where their question is coming from and what they may already believe or misunderstand.

• Let your child know it's okay to feel mad, sad, frustrated, or confused. You might say: "It's normal to have big feelings about this. I do, too, sometimes."

• Sharing your own experiences and how you cope can help them feel less alone. Then, reassure them clearly: "This is not your fault." Children sometimes assume blame for things they don't understand, so hearing that from you matters a great deal.

• Finally, help them focus on their abilities and strengths and discuss together how to handle challenging moments. These conversations are about building understanding, as well as self-worth, confidence, and resilience.

The goal isn't to avoid the conversation—it's to frame it in a way that builds confidence, not shame.

Remind your child that everyone is different and has their unique strengths and challenges. Some kids are great at math, others at telling stories or giving amazing hugs. Nobody is good at everything—but we all have something we're good at and things we're still working on.

• Focus on their goals, progress, and accomplishments.
• Celebrate their strengths, and acknowledge when something is hard.
• Read books that include characters with different abilities and experiences.
• Talk about how we all experience the world in different ways—and that's okay.

If your child continues to focus on feeling "different," it can help to get them involved in clubs, groups, or activities that play to their interests. Finding a space where they feel seen and capable can be a huge boost to self-esteem. Camps are a great avenue, as well!

When one child has medical needs, it affects the whole family. Siblings often have their own questions and feelings, so keeping the conversation open is really important for healthy family dynamics.

There are some great sibling support programs out there—like Super Sibs and SibShops, as well as other local groups—that offer resources and chances for siblings to learn about HIE and connect with others who get it.

Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other close family members often play a big role in your child’s life, too. If possible, try to have a conversation with extended family members before your child begins asking questions or opening up around them.

You don’t need to over-explain—just a brief overview of what HIE is, how it may affect your child, and how you’re choosing to talk about it with them can go a long way. Let your family know that you’re keeping things age-appropriate and strengths-focused, and invite them to follow your lead in keeping the conversation safe and empowering.

Start by asking your child what they feel comfortable sharing—and remind them that it's okay if they don't want to share anything at all. Their story is theirs to tell, and they get to decide how much to say.

If they do want to be prepared for questions—like "Why do you use a walker?" or "What's that device for?"—you can help them practice. Role-playing can be a great tool here.

• Try acting out conversations with your child using puppets, stuffed animals, or even favorite toys.

• Keep it light and playful—sometimes, it's easier for kids to open up when the focus isn't directly on them.

• Talk through simple responses they can use when they feel ready, like "It helps my muscles" or "It's just something that helps me talk."

The goal isn't to script everything—but to give your child the tools and confidence to handle questions in a way that feels right for them. We had a whole Child Life Q&A devoted to this topic, called "Owning Their Story." Give the key takeaways a look!

Absolutely! Helping kids feel confident and proud of who they are is key.

• Read books that reflect diverse abilities and identities. Stories are a powerful way to help kids feel seen and supported. Here's a list Annie has compiled to help you get started!

• Encourage activities that build self-esteem and advocacy skills. Our SOAR program is a great place to start. It focuses on building confidence and self-awareness and teaching kids how to speak up for themselves—whom to talk to, how, and when.

• Celebrate strengths and differences. Focusing on what kids can do—and how they solve problems in their own way—can be incredibly empowering.

• Books about the body: Usborne books are colorful and kid-friendly, perfect for exploring how our bodies work.

• KidsHealth.org: A great site with straightforward explanations about health and the body for kids and parents.

• National Geographic Kids: Explore their videos and articles, which explain the brain in a fun and easy-to-understand way.

• The Brain for Kids: A YouTube video that breaks down what the brain is and how it works.

• NICU sibling tour video: This YouTube tour by McMaster Children's Hospital and Hamilton Health Sciences helps explain the NICU environment in a gentle and relatable way for kids—great for siblings or young children to better understand what their brother or sister experienced as a baby.

• Support Spot App: Free and accessible to most HIE families (international families -- you can still access these resources directly at HIE.Support), this app from Child Life on Call provides resources to support your child's learning differences in many facets of life. Download the app, select Hope for HIE, and enter code 048325.