Child Life in Health Care Settings: History, Theory, Research, Scope, Methods and Professional…

Catalog description

This course will present an overview of the history, philosophy, theory, research, practice and professional issues of the field of Child Life. It will focus on the skills, knowledge, and requirements necessary to be nationally certified as a Child Life Specialist. Participants will gain an understanding of the Official Documents of the Child Life Council (CLC/ACLP), will be introduced to the spectrum of child life practice, and will learn about the impact of illness and health care on children from birth through adolescence and their families. Research and evidence-based practice will be included in presenting various approaches, such as preparation for surgeries and procedures, education about illness and treatment, and therapeutic activities such as play, used to meet the developmental and emotional needs of children within family- entered care. Professional issues including ethics, boundaries and inter-disciplinary teamwork will be explored. Note: Enrollment in this course requires 100 hours of hands on experience with children in a hospital setting and 100 hours of hands on experience with children in non-medical settings such as child care or after school programs. Completion of a child life practicum is strongly encouraged. Students outside of the child life concentration wishing to register for this course must first seek permission of the program director of the MSCD with child life concentration.