CHILD LIFE CERTIFICATION COMPREHENSIVE
SCRIPT 2026 FULL QUESTIONS CORRECT
ANSWERS
◉ Piaget's stages of play Answer: functional play (practice play),
constructive play, dramatic/sociodramatic play, games-with-rules
◉ symbolic play Answer: - begins at 18 months - 2 years
- when playing, actively do things that represent personal images of
their own experiences
- according to Piaget, is the ability to transform direct sensory data
into abstract mental images
◉ When does symbolic play emerge? Answer: - 18 to 24 months
- While playing, children actively do things that represent personal
images of their own experiences
◉ pretend play Answer: children demonstrate their own views of
themselves and others, including the roles they and the people
around them assume
◉ therapeutic play objectives Answer: 1. to establish rapport
2. to promote observation and collect useful data
,3. to interpret behaviors and understand how children are making
sense of their healthcare (stressful) situation
◉ clinical advancement programs Answer: - provide opportunities
for career development within child life programs and recognize
child life specialists who demonstrate a high level of clinical skills
- contributes to increased job satisfaction and better staff retention
◉ information provided to volunteers Answer: - responsibilities as a
volunteer
- age-specific competency information and tips for approaching
children and parents
- therapeutic relationships and professional boundaries
- infection control policies
- safety measures
- importance of play
◉ Assessment variables (CLAIP) Answer: 1. response to healthcare
variables
2. developmental vulnerability
3. age
4. mobility
5. culture and language
,6. social and family status
7. support system
8. temperament/coping style
9. past negative experiences
◉ Thompson and Standford (1981) described children's responses
to healthcare as Answer: 1. active (ex: hitting or fighting)
2. passive (ex: withdrawn, sleeping, loss of appetite)
3. regressive (ex: return of behaviors from a previous developmental
stage- loss of toilet training, changes in sleep patterns, being restless
or anxious)
◉ What age are children most vulnerable to the negative effects of
hospitalization? Answer: 9 months to 4 years
◉ How can child life specialists help with pain management issues?
Answer: By advocating for the use of consistent and approved pain
scales
◉ Types of professional-patient relationships Answer: 1. Clinical
relationship
2. therapeutic relationship
3. connected relationship
4. over-involved relationship
, ◉ Characteristics of clinical relationship Answer: - short/transitory
- interaction is perfunctory/rote
- patient's needs are minor and treatment-oriented
- Pt is viewed as only in pt role
- professional commitment
◉ Characteristics of therapeutic relationship Answer: -
short/average
- interaction is professional
- Pt's needs are met and are minor/moderate
- Pt is viewed first in pt role and second as a person
- professional commitment and patient's concerns are secondary
*ideal type of relationship
◉ Characteristics of connected relationship Answer: - lengthy
- Pt interaction is intensive/close
- pt's needs are extensive/crisis and "goes the extra mile"
- Pt viewed first as a person and second as a pt
- patient's concerns are primary and treatment concerns secondary
◉ Characteristics of over-involved relationship Answer: - long-term
SCRIPT 2026 FULL QUESTIONS CORRECT
ANSWERS
◉ Piaget's stages of play Answer: functional play (practice play),
constructive play, dramatic/sociodramatic play, games-with-rules
◉ symbolic play Answer: - begins at 18 months - 2 years
- when playing, actively do things that represent personal images of
their own experiences
- according to Piaget, is the ability to transform direct sensory data
into abstract mental images
◉ When does symbolic play emerge? Answer: - 18 to 24 months
- While playing, children actively do things that represent personal
images of their own experiences
◉ pretend play Answer: children demonstrate their own views of
themselves and others, including the roles they and the people
around them assume
◉ therapeutic play objectives Answer: 1. to establish rapport
2. to promote observation and collect useful data
,3. to interpret behaviors and understand how children are making
sense of their healthcare (stressful) situation
◉ clinical advancement programs Answer: - provide opportunities
for career development within child life programs and recognize
child life specialists who demonstrate a high level of clinical skills
- contributes to increased job satisfaction and better staff retention
◉ information provided to volunteers Answer: - responsibilities as a
volunteer
- age-specific competency information and tips for approaching
children and parents
- therapeutic relationships and professional boundaries
- infection control policies
- safety measures
- importance of play
◉ Assessment variables (CLAIP) Answer: 1. response to healthcare
variables
2. developmental vulnerability
3. age
4. mobility
5. culture and language
,6. social and family status
7. support system
8. temperament/coping style
9. past negative experiences
◉ Thompson and Standford (1981) described children's responses
to healthcare as Answer: 1. active (ex: hitting or fighting)
2. passive (ex: withdrawn, sleeping, loss of appetite)
3. regressive (ex: return of behaviors from a previous developmental
stage- loss of toilet training, changes in sleep patterns, being restless
or anxious)
◉ What age are children most vulnerable to the negative effects of
hospitalization? Answer: 9 months to 4 years
◉ How can child life specialists help with pain management issues?
Answer: By advocating for the use of consistent and approved pain
scales
◉ Types of professional-patient relationships Answer: 1. Clinical
relationship
2. therapeutic relationship
3. connected relationship
4. over-involved relationship
, ◉ Characteristics of clinical relationship Answer: - short/transitory
- interaction is perfunctory/rote
- patient's needs are minor and treatment-oriented
- Pt is viewed as only in pt role
- professional commitment
◉ Characteristics of therapeutic relationship Answer: -
short/average
- interaction is professional
- Pt's needs are met and are minor/moderate
- Pt is viewed first in pt role and second as a person
- professional commitment and patient's concerns are secondary
*ideal type of relationship
◉ Characteristics of connected relationship Answer: - lengthy
- Pt interaction is intensive/close
- pt's needs are extensive/crisis and "goes the extra mile"
- Pt viewed first as a person and second as a pt
- patient's concerns are primary and treatment concerns secondary
◉ Characteristics of over-involved relationship Answer: - long-term
