Five Things That Make the Child Life Zone at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health Special
Being sick and in hospital is scary for children and their family, especially when it’s for long periods. But at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health, there is a very special space called The Zone — a fun and healing area offering sick kids and their families a sanctuary where they can play, relax, learn, and forget about their medical challenges for a while. The Zone is designed to be a safe and comfortable environment where children can relax and feel at ease. The space is colorful, welcoming, and equipped with comfortable furniture and age-appropriate toys and games.
“The Zone really is an amazing place for kids going through a scary situation. My son still talks about all the fun he had! The Zone took his mind off everything he was going through and allowed him to enjoy being a kid,” shared a mother.
Construction of Aikman’s EndZone at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital began in 1988, and it opened in 1999. It was built with support from Troy Aikman’s foundation and in collaboration with Dallas Children’s Hospital and Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth, which already had Aikman’s End Zones. Troy Aikman, who grew up in Oklahoma, wanted to continue his charitable work in the state. Bob Moore and his colleagues from Bob Moore Auto Group also made a generous donation to help open the space.
There are only 15 children’s hospitals in North America that have dedicated Child Life Zones and The Zone at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital is the largest of them all, at 6,000-square-feet.
Five Things That Make Oklahoma Children’s Hospital’s The Zone Special
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital’s Child Life Zone and it’s the perfect time to reflect on five things that make The Zone a special place of fun and healing for children.
1. The Zone is Supported by Skilled and Caring Staff
Every day The Zone is supported by various members of the Child Life, Integrative and Creative Care Department. They include Child Life Specialists, Patient Technology, School Programs, Therapy Dog Program, Music Therapy, Art Therapy, Yoga Therapy and Volunteer Services. These experienced members of The Zone ensure that kids and their families will thrive and enjoy their time as much as possible while in the hospital.
Our child life specialists create fun and educational activities to help kids grow socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically. They advise hospital staff on the emotional and social needs of children and their families, and they use play, age-appropriate activities, volunteers, and educational tools, to help kids and families feel more comfortable in the hospital and prepare them for medical experiences. They also work on improving processes related to children’s emotional and developmental care.
2. Diverse Art Therapy Programs
On any given day in The Zone, patients and families can expect to find various art therapy activities. Art therapy programs are not just fun, they are designed to support the emotional and psychological well-being of children and help them manage the stresses of being sick and hospitalized.
Art therapy can be conducted in both individual and group settings, allowing children to express themselves creatively in a safe and supportive environment. Children have access to a wide range of art materials, including paints, clay, markers, and collage supplies, with the variety catering to different interests and abilities. The art therapy programs are facilitated by professionally trained and board-certified art therapists who understand the needs of hospitalized children and aim to create a nurturing and healing environment through art.
The Zone often organizes special art projects and exhibits, where children’s artwork is displayed. This is often done through collaboration with professional artists who work with the kids, teaching them new techniques of creative expression.
3. Special Events and Celebrations
Just because a child is in the hospital doesn’t mean that special events pass by unrecognized. The Zone hosts a variety of celebrations and special events throughout the year to bring joy and a sense of normalcy to children and their families. These include:
Holiday Celebrations
The Zone organizes events for major holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter and these celebrations often include themed decorations, crafts, games, and visits from Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.
Birthday Parties
Every child’s birthday is made special with personalized celebrations. The Zone provides decorations, cake, and gifts, ensuring that each child feels celebrated on their special day.
Celebrity Visits: Local celebrities, athletes, and performers often visit The Zone to spend time with the children. These visits can include autograph sessions, photo opportunities, and interactive activities, creating happy experiences for the kids and their families.
In the Zone TV Special Broadcasts
During special events, The Zone’s closed-circuit television studio, In the Zone TV, broadcasts live shows and interactive programs so kids who can’t leave their rooms don’t miss out on the fun.
4. Educational Programs
In addition to play, The Zone offers educational programs that help children keep up with their schoolwork and learn new skills. This includes a STEM and innovation Suite where kids can engage in science, technology, engineering and math activities that are hand-on, fun, as well as educational.
Interactive learning activities include educational games, puzzles and activities that are customized to be age and level appropriate.
The Zone works closely with local schools and educational institutions to coordinate lesson plans and assignments to ensure that kids can transition back to their regular studies once they have been discharged.
5. Family Involvement
Oklahoma Children’s Hospital provides care which involves the family in every step of the medical process. The same family-centered philosophy extends to The Zone, by providing a space where siblings and parents/carers can join in the fun and learning.
The Zone includes siblings and parents in play and learning activities for several important reasons:
- Involving the entire family in the child’s care helps create a supportive environment and acknowledges that the child’s illness affects the whole family.
- Siblings and parents often experience stress and anxiety when a child is hospitalized. Participating in play and learning activities together can provide emotional relief and strengthen family bonds during difficult times.
- Play and learning activities can serve as effective coping mechanisms for children and their families. These activities provide a distraction from the hospital environment.
- Siblings of the patients are involved in the healthcare of their brother or sister, with child life specialists educating them on what is going on and what the medical procedures involve. This takes away fear and allows them to ask questions in a safe and friendly environment.
The Zone takes a holistic approach in supporting not just the patient, but the entire family, fostering a nurturing and healing environment.
Timeline of The Zone
1988: Construction of Aikman’s EndZone begins
1999: Aikman’s EndZone opens
2001: Child Life Fellowship starts
2004: Kohl’s Cares School Program begins
2007: New inpatient unit playroom programming introduced
2008-2009: Focus on donor events and construction
2010: The Zone opens with Troy Aikman, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, and the Bob Moore Family in attendance
2016: 17,500 visits to The Zone
2017: Renovations including a Microsoft wall and sensory room
2019: Innovation/STEM Suite created, and Artist-in-Residence program launched
2020: Virtual content and Patient Technology Program began
2023: Multi-disciplinary space for music therapy
2024: Celebrating 25 years of service
“The heart of the Child Life Zone is to infuse joy and play into an experience that otherwise could be very scary. We bring a lot of resources, events, and organization into The Zone because you never know what a kid is going to connect with,” said Jentri Whitford, manager of The Zone and Patient Special Events. “My goal is to diversify our offerings – that way, every kid hopefully finds something that makes them want to get out of their room. And once kids come to play, they’re here every time it’s open.”
Learn more about The Child Life Zone at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital and find out how you may be able to help.
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