Foundations of Working with Children

This subject is not offered in 2014.

120 hours in total

Currently working in field.

A minimum of 80% attendance at seminars

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website : http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject will cover:

• specific aspects of developmental theory, cognitive-behavioural theory, psychodynamic theory and systems theory perspectives which may be used to understand and work effectively with children;
• various forms of play and how these may be responded to therapeutically;
• children's drawings and how these may be understood and responded to appropriately; and
• the importance of the concepts of limit-setting, holding and containing.

Participants will develop their understanding of:

• The principal theoretical orientations employed in clinical work with children.
• The fundamental concepts that these theoretical orientations are based upon.
• The rationale for selection of one form of treatment over another.
• The application of appropriate therapeutic interventions.

• Take-home test of 1,000 words due week 6 (worth 25%)
• Essay of 4,000 words due end of semester (worth 75%)
• Minimum 80% seminar attendance (hurdle requirement)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, participants should be able to:

• Distinguish theoretical orientations employed in clinical work
• Describe fundamental concepts that these theoretical orientations are based upon
• Consider the rationale for selection of one form of treatment over another
• Discuss the application of appropriate therapeutic interventions