FCS 5305 - Therapeutic Play in the Health Care Setting

This course will provide an overview of the historical and theoretical framework of play and activity across childhood development. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of play in a child’s growth and learning. While this course will study typical childhood play, a significant amount of time will be spent on play in the health care setting. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the therapeutic role of play in a child’s coping and adjustment to the health care environment.. Participants will explore what they can learn from observing play, how it can inform their assessment and interventions, as well as how the environment can influence a child’s play. While academic learning is essential in this course, we will also be engaging in hands-on, real life play as a means of encouraging a life-long love of play.