Children’s of Alabama Patients Play Classic Childhood Game

Birmingham, Ala.  (March 27, 2026) — Patients at Children’s of Alabama took part in an all-time favorite event on Wednesday. Child Life and Education hosted a life-sized Candy Land game to celebrate Child Life Month.

Patients participated in an interactive Candy Land along the hospital’s Main Street. Themed stations were set up along the walk, and they included craft activities. Each of these craft activities helped patients learn new skills to cope when they returned to their hospital room.

“This event allows patients and their families the ability to leave their rooms to engage in socialization and normative play, as well as provide them with a therapeutic outlet,” said Grace Willingham, Certified Child Life Specialist at Children’s of Alabama. “I am grateful to work in a hospital that values our role alongside the medical team in order for all of us to work together toward the goal of helping patients heal.”

March is Child Life Month, a time to recognize the impact child life specialists have on hospitalized children. At Children’s, the Child Life Team recognizes that illness and hospitalization are stressful experiences for children and their families. By using developmentally appropriate education, preparation, and supportive activities, the team works to minimize stress and help patients and their families cope positively with their healthcare experience.

Events like the life-sized Candy Land games are made possible through the generosity of community partners like Spire. For several years, Spire has been a donor to the Child Life Program. Recently, the company sponsored the Teddy Bear Clinic and the annual Valentine’s Day card drive for patients.

“The Child Life program at Children’s of Alabama is something that all of us at Spire are passionate about supporting,” said Joe Hampton, president of Spire Alabama, Mississippi, and the Gulf Coast. “The incredible work they do to enrich the lives of their patients has an impact on the whole community. That’s something we strive to do at Spire as well.”

All Child Life Specialists are required to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in child life, child development, child and family studies, or related fields.