UMH (0627) 615 - Understanding and Intervening Through Play

Credits: 3.00

Student will explore play as concept, as projective window into the inner life of the child and as a developmental and corrective therapeutic intervention. The student will gain a working knowledge of the Supportive Play Model (SPM), DIR/Floortime and the principles of Psychodynamic play therapy.

Free Note: Required for students in IMH-DP program.

Identify and describe the stages, markers and typical progression of the development of play skills, themes and the social continuum of play from infancy through age 5 in a relational and cultural context

Identify delayed and atypical patterns of play in young children

Work with parents and child together in a natural setting suited to the child’s developmental age in accordance with evolving best practice to promote play development

Apply awareness of cultural competence to understand and interpret play-based material, communicate effectively, establish positive relationships with families and demonstrate respect for the uniqueness of each client family’s culture

Interpret and narrate the representational and symbolic meanings of the play of young children through a cultural lens

Conduct, interpret and write a play assessment report

Implement the Supportive Play Model process with parents, teachers and related service personnel

Conduct a DIR/Floortime session including the use of parent coaching

Conduct a psychodynamic play therapy session at an introductory level