Therapeutic Activities I
This course is the first of two therapeutic activity courses that will focus on the therapeutic value and use of programming in the care and treatment of children/adolescents. It will introduce the student to the concepts and practice of therapeutic activities and how they are applied in a variety of children's mental health settings and also in the context of group programming. Students will explore the importance of play and will have the opportunity to develop knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to develop and facilitate activities with children/adolescents. Students will learn about the importance of establishing appropriate environments for the application of therapeutic play activities, the effect of these activities on a children's/adolescent's treatment and they will be introduced to a variety of play activities/tools that can be applied and utilized in the field. Leadership skills and relationship building through activities will also be introduced. The students will be required to develop a resource file and a therapeutic "bag of tricks" (tools to use in ongoing programming work with children/youth).