Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to provide appropriate play opportunities for children in health care settings; have a knowledge of the common causes of paediatric admissions and be able to provide suitable therapeutic activities where required; have knowledge to assist children and parents in preparing for and recovering from paediatric hospital admissions; have acquired a variety of appropriate art, craft and storytelling skills; have a knowledge of the literature and support services relevant to hospital play.
Synopsis This subject has been designed to introduce early childhood teachers to the importance of play for children who are to be admitted to hospital, who are in hospital or who need guided play to reduce the trauma of their hospital experience. The subject will examine medical play, diversionary play and unstructured play used in paediatric settings, drawing upon the experiences of practitioners in the field and the wide range of supporting literature published by the Association for the Welfare of Child Health (Australia) and Action for Sick Children (UK). Students will be expected to undertake supervised limited additional field experience in the paediatric unit at the Mornington Peninsula Community Hospital, Frankston.
Assessment Written (3000 words): 40% + Fieldwork and report (1500 words): 60%