Our Child Life Facilities
The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital is designed to create a soothing atmosphere of healing — and play — for children and their families.
The hospital's many play spaces offer safe, fun-filled places of refuge where no medical procedures are performed.
On the first floor of Comer Children's, our large, sun-filled playroom creates a dynamic play space for children and their families, including:
- Playroom, a central play space for young children
- Teen room, a private space for teens ages 11 and older
- A family resource library
Additional play spaces are located throughout the hospital near patient rooms, within the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and within the pre-op/recovery area. There also is an interactive outdoor space on the first floor adjacent to the playroom.
The Family Learning Center at the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital is inspired by the idea: "A moment of learning can inspire a lifetime of achievement."
Located on the first floor of Comer Children's, the Family Learning Center is a comfortable, family-friendly environment where parents and caretakers can access the latest pediatric health information. In addition, the center is a "safe" place for parents with a relaxing atmosphere, soft music, and books for reading pleasure.
Educational Resources
The Family Learning Center contains hundreds of books, videos, CDs and articles about childhood health, illnesses and diseases. Four computer stations within the library facilitate hospital-based learning and provide links to sites on a variety of medical topics. These computers may also be used by parents to access email, check in at work and browse the Web.
Teaching tools, models and interactive educational experiences are available to help parents and children learn about the body's anatomy as well as familiarize themselves with different medical equipment.
A children's library is available in the Family Learning Center for patients and their siblings.
GetWell Network
The staff of the Family Learning Center approves the health education videos on the GetWell Network — a unique, interactive patient experience. Using this network from their rooms, children can access child-appropriate websites, send and receive email, listen to music, and watch movies on demand.
Hours
- Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Access to the Family Learning Center is free for patients and their families.
The playroom at the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital offers children relief from the hectic hospital environment. Within this sanctuary, toddlers can crawl and explore freely and patients and their siblings can express themselves through play and art activities. Meanwhile, families can relax and find support in one another.
The playroom is a "safe" zone where no medical procedures are performed. The bright, colorful room is filled with toys for all ages, games, art supplies and much more. A dedicated infant-toddler space offers a soft, carpeted area for little ones to explore and stimulate their senses. Rocking chairs provide a quiet, intimate place for parents to hold their babies. Older kids can enjoy the run of the playroom, which includes a kitchen area, dollhouse, costume wardrobe and play "hospital equipment." A 60-inch large-screen TV provides video entertainment, including kids' favorite movies and shows.
If a child is too ill to visit the playroom, a child life specialist or volunteer will bring toys, games and other items to the child's bedside. Also, broadcasts for medical bingo and many of the playroom programs occur live on the GetWell Network.
Playroom Hours
Monday – Thursday
9 a.m. to noon1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday
9 a.m. to noon
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Teenagers need privacy and independence. They also want to stay in touch with friends while in the hospital. To help meet these needs, we have a fully dedicated private space just for patients and siblings ages 11 to 18 years old.
Our Teen Room includes:
- 42-inch plasma screen TV with age-appropriate video games
- Arcade games
- Board games
- Computer
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Pool/foosball/hockey table
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Stereo system