Introduction to Therapeutic Play

The need for interventions to improve children’s well-being and mental health has been on the agenda for educators and policymakers for the past few years. It has become apparent that children need help to develop resiliency, self-regulation and self-esteem.

Therapeutic play is a vehicle to do this while also using creative ways to solve problems and enhance psychological development.

After studying this course, you will be able to demonstrate an understanding of therapeutic play and critically appraise the different types. You will be able to show a critical awareness of working with diverse groups of children. In addition, you will take responsibility for your own learning and skill development, including effective personal planning, self-reflection and project management.  

The credits from this course can be transferred to the new master’s degree, MA Children and Young people’s Mental Health.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is designed pre-and in-service teachers, teaching assistants and those who work with children and young people in social care and health settings.

Teaching Methods

The teaching, assessment and learner support on this course will encourage creativity in a dynamic environment and collaborative culture.

You will have opportunities to gain experience by interacting with others during lectures, seminars (small group teaching), tutorials, workshops and practice-based sessions. These sessions will provide learning activities to develop you as an inquiring, expert and confident practitioner.

You will have a personal tutor and be offered both formal appointments where any issues can be raised, as well as informal one-to-one opportunities to discuss your progress. You will also have access to the library, learning resources centre, online resources and VLE.

Assessment

Assessments will be evidence-informed and will embrace pedagogic research and practice.

The learning, teaching and assessment strategy for this micro-credential has been devised to ensure that the specialist knowledge and practical skills are developed and clearly assessed in the most appropriate manner and have a clear professional focus. For example, the assessment here includes a promotional video that highlights therapeutic interventions that you can use and transfer to your practice.

Formative tasks and seminar activities will have a professional focus and enable you to consider case studies and real-life scenarios in order to apply your knowledge and learning to the real world and allow for key topics to be explored in greater depth with academic tutors and peers.