Dr. Bradley L. Schlaggar, President and CEO, Kennedy Krieger Institute
At Kennedy Krieger Institute, healing is more than a clinical process; it’s a journey that involves the whole child and the whole family. For children facing hospitalization or intensive rehabilitation, the experience can be overwhelming. That’s where Kennedy Krieger’s Child Life and Recreation Therapies team steps in, transforming fear into confidence and isolation into connection.
At the heart of these services is the belief that play is a powerful tool for promoting health and healing. The Child Life and Recreation Therapies Department offers a unique combination of specialized services provided by child life specialists, recreational therapists, and music therapists. The team works closely together to meet treatment goals, support adjustment, and improve the quality of life for our patients and their families. “We promote really positive vibes in a very healing environment,” noted Sharon Borshay, Director of Child Life and Recreation Therapies.
Child Life specialists help children make sense of their medical experiences. Using medical play, storytelling, and hands-on activities, they prepare children for procedures and explain diagnoses in developmentally appropriate ways. A mock CAT scan machine becomes a tool for empowerment. A doll with bandages becomes a bridge to understanding.
They also support siblings and caregivers, recognizing that illness affects the entire family. One specialist might use a picture book to explain a brain injury to a young sibling, while another helps a child practice a blood draw with a toy syringe and teddy bear. Children might also participate in expressive art projects to process emotions as they navigate their health journey.
At the center of our care environment is a space that promotes energy, creativity, and resilience: the Rec Room. Designed for children of all ages and abilities, the Rec Room is more than just a place to play; it’s where our patients can thrive.
Here, young patients facing serious and often long-term health challenges reconnect with the simple joys of childhood. Whether they’re painting, gaming, building, or bonding with peers, the Rec Room offers a supportive, inclusive environment where healing is nurtured through play.
For many families, this space is a reminder that even during medical complexity, childhood can still be filled with laughter, imagination, and hope.
Recreation therapists design activities that align with each child’s treatment goals—whether it’s strengthening a limb, improving coordination, or building social skills. A child working on fine motor skills might decorate cookies, play with kinetic sand, or build LEGO structures. A teen learning to use a wheelchair might play air hockey, navigate obstacle courses, or participate in a scavenger hunt around the unit.
Outings into the community are especially powerful learning opportunities. Patients might go bowling, visit the aquarium, or enjoy a picnic at the Inner Harbor. These trips help children and families adjust to new realities, like navigating public spaces with mobility aids or learning where elevators and accessible restrooms are located.
Led by our Patient and Family Experience team, caregivers receive the same thoughtful attention as their children. From stocking the parent lounge with snacks and coffee to hosting music activities and catered dinners, we ensure families feel cared for. “I always tell our families, ‘Child Life and Recreation Therapies staff will take care of your child, and we will take care of you,’” said Karen Hartlove, Manager, Patient and Family Experience. “We provide whatever support the parents and other caregivers need.”
Sometimes, that means helping a parent take their first break in weeks—knowing their child is safe and supported. Other times, it means listening to a concern before it becomes a complaint or helping a family celebrate a holiday with familiar traditions like gingerbread house decorating or special meals.
What makes Kennedy Krieger different isn’t just our programs—it’s our people. Therapists collaborate across disciplines, co-treat with clinical teams, and personalize care. Former patients return to mentor current ones. Parents connect over shared experiences. And through it all, children heal, not just physically, but emotionally and socially.
At Kennedy Krieger, Child Life and Recreation Therapy are central to how we care for children and families. Whether it’s a game of Uno in the Rec Room, a music session that helps a child find their rhythm again, or a community outing that builds confidence one step at a time, healing happens in moments of play, creativity, and connection. These programs help transform the hospital experience into something empowering, comforting, and even joyful, making each child’s journey feel less overwhelming.
