Academic Foundation
The work done by Certified Child Life Specialists is based on a strong academic foundation of child development, family systems, and the impacts of hospitalization. My degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with a concentration in Child Life and a minor in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies has prepared me with the skills and knowledge that I need to work as a Certified Child Life Specialist. The following artifacts showcase some of the work I have been able to do at Auburn University and how I have applied it to the field of child life.
Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Science
Concentration in Child Life-
Through my Human Development and Family Sciences education, I gained knowledge of human development across the lifespan, especially the development of children and adolescents. I also developed an understanding of the most effective ways to interact with children and families who are ill, well, and in stressful situations and I have been able to incorporate this in my volunteer and practicum experience thus far. My Human Development and Family Sciences degree has also taught me best practices for working with families and how to be a skilled communicator. This education will support my professional goal by allowing me to incorporate my knowledge of human development and family systems into working with children and families in stressful situations such as hospitalization.
Theraputic Play Course
Philosophy of Play Statement-
Spring semester of 2020, I had the opportunity to take a class on therapeutic play taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist. In this course, I learned various theories about play, how to use it in different contexts, and its therapeutic qualities. At the end of this course, I had the opportunity to create my own philosophy of play which showcases my views on play and how adults can support children. After taking this course, I know that play is an effective way to allow a child’s spirit to heal and the knowledge that I gained through this course has enabled me to view play in a new light. As a future Child Life Specialist, I understand that play is the backbone of the work that we do and I plan to use the skills that I have learned in this class to best support my patients and families on their path to healing.
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You can view an excerpt of my Philosophy of Play Statement by clicking the button to the right.
Hospitalized Children & Their Families
Diagnosis Project-
Fall semester of 2020, I had the opportunity to take a class taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist on how to best support hospitalized children and their families. In this class, I learned about the impact of hospitalization on children and families, theories related to child life, the importance of family-centered care, and how to implement therapeutic interventions for hospitalized children and their families. At the end of this course, I was given a chance to apply all of the knowledge and skills I gained by picking a diagnosis to research and then creating a pamphlet for my classmates to use. This pamphlet explained the diagnosis’s technical components, identified coping concerns for an age group of children, provided interventions, and part of a diagnosis education script. As a result of taking this course, I have gained knowledge and skills that will allow me to understand the complex stressors that hospitalized children and their families face. I am also confident in my ability to think critically and plan diagnosis education and interventions for future patients that I will serve as a child life specialist.
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You can view my completed Diagnosis Project on Sickle Cell Disease by clicking the button to the right.
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