What Is a Child Life Specialist? How They Support Grieving Children and Families

Support for Children and Families Through Life’s Hardest Moments

When a child faces the unimaginable like the death of a loved one, a serious illness in the family, or a major life transition they need more than just information. They need compassionate child grief support that meets them right where they are. That’s where Child Life Specialists come in.

At The Grieving Space LLC, we specialize in helping children navigate grief and loss through therapeutic child life services in the Chicago area. Many caregivers we work with have never heard of a Certified Child Life Specialist or aren’t quite sure what we do.This post offers a closer look at the role, the impact, and why we are an important part to care.

What Is a Child Life Specialist?

A Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) is a trained professional who provides emotional support and age appropriate information to children and families during times of illness, grief, or trauma. We help children:

• Understand what is happening around them

• Cope with difficult emotions

• Express themselves through creative outlets like play, art, music and movement

• Build healthy coping skills that last beyond the immediate experience

At our core, we help children make sense of experiences that are often overwhelming, even for adults.

How Do Child Life Specialists Support Grieving Children?

At The Grieving Space LLC, child life services are centered around grief, loss, and illness/disease. This can include:

• Explaining death and dying in ways children can understand

• Preparing children for funerals or memorial services

• Supporting siblings of children with chronic or terminal illnesses

• Helping families talk openly and honestly about difficult topics

• Providing coping tools through therapeutic play, books, and activities

• Offering a safe space for children to feel seen and supported

We never push children to talk before they’re ready. Instead, we follow their lead creating space for questions, creativity, and comfort.

Why Do Child Life Services Matter?

Grief is not a one-time event, it’s a lifelong journey. And children grieve differently than adults. They may revisit their loss as they grow, asking new questions or experiencing new waves of emotion. With a Child Life Specialist by their side, children don’t have to face that journey alone.

Who Can Benefit From Child Life Services?

Although Child Life Specialists are typically found within a hospital setting, more and more Child Life Specialists have been moving into the community setting working in private practice, non profits, and outpatient facilities. At The Grieving Space LLC, our services are for children ages 3–12 who are:

• Grieving the death of a parent, caregiver or sibling

• Experiencing anticipatory grief due to illness or hospice care

• Navigating challenging medical experiences or diagnoses in the family

Our services are family-centered so that means we also support caregivers, offering tools, language, and strategies to better support your children at home.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

We believe that every child and their family deserves the chance to be supported through loss in a way that makes sense for them. If you’re wondering whether grief support services might be right for your child reach out. We’re here to help.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional support. Reading it does not create a therapeutic relation