About Us

What is Child Life?

Child Life Specialists help children and their families cope with stressful and uncertain situations that may cause feelings of fear, confusion, loss of control or isolation. These feelings can inhibit a child’s development and affect their physical and emotional well being. Child Life Specialists use tools such as therapeutic play, medical play, education and coping skills as means to decrease anxiety and post-traumatic stress related to healthcare and/or family matters.

Where We Practice

Our certified child life specialists provide developmentally appropriate support, coping skills, and therapeutic play to our clients and families.
Our Services
Laura Funk Zucker

Meet Laura Funk Zucker

  • About Laura

    Laura was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and attended the University of Georgia. She has lived in Charleston for the last 20 years and considers it home. Laura got her Masters in Child Development from the College of Charleston and was instrumental in starting the Masters of Child Life program there. She did her internship at MUSC Children’s Hospital (now Shawn Jenkins Childrens Hospital) and began her private practice, Funktional Play, in 2019 because she knew that child life should also exist outside the hospital walls.


    Having been born with a cleft lip and palate and undergoing countless surgeries as a child, Laura understood first hand the traumatic and anxious experiences that can be involved when a child is having surgery, being informed of a new diagnosis, or suffering the loss of a parent or sibling.


    Laura has 2 wonderful children and 1 dog child. One of her bucket list items is to participate in Operation Smile and other medical mission trips for kids. In her free time, she loves being with her kids, exploring new places, and spending time with her nieces and nephews.

Laura Funk Zucker

Hannah Patton

  • About Hannah

    Hannah is from Mercer County, Pennsylvania and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University. Most recently, she graduated from The College of Charleston with a Master’s of Science degree in Child Life after completing her clinical work at ECU Health in Greenville, NC. She has found her way back to the Charleston area to join the Funktional Play as a Certified Child Life Specialist at Summerville Medical Center. 


    Hannah’s favorite part about being a child life specialist is working with patients and families from the beginning of their hospital experience to the end and seeing their growth along the way. She loves creating meaningful relationships with both her team and patients! Outside of work, Hannah loves traveling and enjoying the food scene in Charleston!