Therapeutic Play Skills - FETAC Level 6

Course details

Research has found Play to be an effective therapeutic medium for children in difficult and challenging circumstances such as family changes, separation and divorce, new schools, chronic illness and even death and dying. It is a natural means for children to work out difficulties they might face such as in making friends, dealing with excessive anger, fear, sadness, worry & shyness. Play also helps in dealing with issues emerging from aggression & acting out; school difficulties; abuse & neglect; social adjustment; sleeping and eating difficulties; poor self concept & low self esteem; trauma; grief & loss; hospitalization; and adoption & identity.

"Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in the child's soul" - Fredrich Frobel

This course is specifically designed for anyone with experience of working with children or adolescents, also those who work or intend to work therapeutically with them. It includes

• Counsellors
• Clinical Psychologists
• Psychotherapists
• Montessori and Primary school Teachers/Assistants
• Pediatricians
• Nurses
• Social Workers
• Play School/Sessional services staff
• Children’s Hospice care Home staff
• Adoption/Foster Care Workers

Entry Requirements

• Entry to this course is by direct application to the college. There are no previous academic requirements

Course Content Modules

• Equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to use play and its developmental, educational and therapeutic applications.
• Enable the learner to use play in a variety of settings –educational, care- (day care, residential and Hospital) and recreational settings
• Enable the learner to demonstrate facilitation skills focusing on children’s specific needs in relation to holistic development.