Amid the beeping machines of the hospital, there exists a beacon of hope and joy in the form of our dedicated Child Life department. Julia Greco has been a Child Life specialist at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware for the past two years. With her warm smile and gentle demeanor, Julia has made it her mission to ensure that even the youngest patients find comfort and happiness during their stay.
“It is so important to us that our patients don’t miss out on childhood experiences,” says Julia. “The child life department at Nemours Children’s Health is dedicated to providing patients and families free services and activities to make their lives as normal as possible despite their situation.”
Julia received a bachelor’s degree in human development & family studies from Penn State and furthered her education in child life studies at Missouri State. She was drawn to this career path because of how special and unique the work is.
“It is an honor to be a part of the healthcare journeys of Nemours’ patients and families and getting to support them in coping with the many highs and lows of hospitalization,” Julia says. “What I think is important that people know about child life is that we provide therapeutic interventions based on professional assessment to support children and families and to promote coping during incredibly stressful situations.”
In her role at Nemours, Julia specializes in providing support to solid organ transplant, trauma, trach/vent, and surgical patients. Many of her patients spend an extended amount of time in the hospital. For some of these long-term patients, the child life department steps in for parents and families who are unable to be present to provide support and comfort for the patient, as well as keeping the families properly updated. Julia and her colleagues take it upon themselves to make scrapbooks, craft monthly foot and handprints, schedule FaceTime calls, and send weekly photos to families.
While these efforts successfully provide patients the comfort and advocation they may be lacking without family present all the time, Julia noticed that something very crucial was missing.
She recognized a trend among the toddlers staying at the hospital for extended periods – a lack of socialization and playtime. Recognizing the importance of these formative experiences in a child’s development, she decided to take action. Thus, the Tiny Tots program was born.
The Tiny Tots program is designed to provide young patients, ages 0-3, with opportunities for social interaction, creative expression and developmental play, all within the safe confines of the hospital environment. From interactive storytime sessions to sensory play activities, Julia, along with other members of the child life, therapy services, and SWAT nursing teams, work tirelessly to engage toddlers in meaningful experiences that bring joy and laughter to their days, while also promoting developmental goals and milestones.
The program meets once a week in the sensory room for a play session lead by varying hospital staff including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, nurses, and child life specialists. About four to five toddlers, who have had their medical team sign off on the activity, are involved in each playgroup, as to ensure their safety with enough staff chaperones. The meetings include singing, dancing, parallel play, story time, and so much more.
“Social interaction is necessary for children to develop their social skills,” says Julia. “Some patients were not given any socialization opportunities outside of the staff. I noticed that some children would get absorbed in the television and lack the social skills that other children their age have.”
Through these structured play sessions, toddlers not only have fun but also learn important social skills such as sharing, taking turns and communicating with others. The impact of the Tiny Tots program goes beyond just providing entertainment – it has tangible benefits for children’s well-being and recovery. Engaging in play and social interaction can reduce stress, alleviate anxiety and promote healing in pediatric patients. By nurturing the emotional and psychological needs, Julia helps create a supportive environment where children feel safe, loved and empowered to cope with their medical challenges.
Through her dedication and compassion, Julia has not only transformed the hospital experience for countless toddlers but has also touched the hearts of their families and caregivers. As we continue to witness the positive effects of the Tiny Tots program, we are reminded of the invaluable role that child life specialists like Julia play in our healthcare system. They are not just caregivers – they are champions of joy, advocates for play and beacons of hope for little ones who need it most.
