Partners in Joy, Healing, and Play

March is Child Life Month, and we’re taking this opportunity to shine a spotlight on the incredible Child Life Specialists we collaborate with year-round across four paediatric hospitals. These dedicated professionals play a vital role in supporting children and families facing serious illness, offering emotional support, therapeutic play, and a sense of normalcy in the hospital setting.

We work in tandem to introduce families to our programs—whether through clinic visits, bedside crafts, or a gentle reassurance that camp is a safe and welcoming space for their family.

Riann is one of the Child Life Specialists we work closely with at SickKids. She describes the relationship with us as a harmonious one, with meetings several times a week to discuss which patients need a little Campfire Circle in their day.

“We have the same goals and so much respect for each other’s skills. It never feels like we’re stepping on each other’s toes— we’re the best dance partners,” says Riann. “We’re one group united in trying to make the hospital not just a place to survive, but to thrive.”

At the Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), our team shares the same sentiments. “We have a wonderful and collaborative relationship with our Child Life department, which serves as our primary touchpoint within the hospital. Campfire Circle supports them by providing fun, meaningful programs that bring joy to kids and their families,” says Niall Stewart our In-Hospital Specialist in LSHC.

To all the Child Life Specialists we work with—we are proud of you! Thank you for being fierce advocates for children, for creating moments of joy in the midst of uncertainty, and for believing in the power of play. We are so grateful to have you as partners in this journey.