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Updated in [May 25th, 2023]

This course, Children's Perspectives on Play, provides an opportunity to explore the world of play from the perspective of young children. Participants will be asked to put themselves in the place of young children and to think about their view of play and their reasons for playing. Through this course, participants will gain an understanding of the importance of play in the development of children, and will be able to identify the different types of play and the benefits of each. Additionally, participants will learn how to create an environment that encourages play and how to support children in their play. By the end of the course, participants will have a better understanding of the importance of play in the development of children and will be able to create an environment that encourages play.

[Applications]
The application of this course can be seen in various ways. Educators can use the knowledge gained from this course to create more engaging and meaningful play experiences for young children. Parents can use the insights to better understand their children's motivations and interests when it comes to play. Additionally, policy makers can use the information to create more effective policies that promote play and its benefits for children. Finally, researchers can use the course to gain a better understanding of the importance of play in the lives of children.

[Career Paths]
1. Early Childhood Educator: Early childhood educators are responsible for providing a safe and nurturing environment for young children. They plan and implement activities that promote physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. As the demand for quality early childhood education increases, the need for qualified early childhood educators is expected to grow.

2. Child Psychologist: Child psychologists specialize in the study of child development and behavior. They use a variety of techniques to assess and diagnose mental health issues in children, and provide counseling and therapy to help them cope with their issues. The demand for child psychologists is expected to increase as more parents become aware of the importance of mental health in children.

3. Child Care Worker: Child care workers provide care and supervision for children in a variety of settings, such as daycare centers, preschools, and after-school programs. They are responsible for creating a safe and stimulating environment for children, and helping them develop social and emotional skills. As the demand for quality child care increases, the need for qualified child care workers is expected to grow.

4. Child Life Specialist: Child life specialists are healthcare professionals who specialize in helping children and their families cope with the stress and anxiety of medical procedures and hospitalization. They use play and other activities to help children understand and cope with their medical experiences. The demand for child life specialists is expected to increase as more healthcare providers recognize the importance of providing emotional support to children and their families.

[Education Paths]
1. Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Education is a degree path that focuses on the development of children from birth to age 8. This degree path covers topics such as child development, early childhood education, and family dynamics. It also focuses on the development of social, emotional, and cognitive skills in young children. This degree path is becoming increasingly popular as more parents are looking for ways to ensure their children are receiving the best possible education.

2. Child Psychology: Child Psychology is a degree path that focuses on the psychological development of children from birth to adolescence. This degree path covers topics such as child development, child psychology, and family dynamics. It also focuses on the development of social, emotional, and cognitive skills in young children. This degree path is becoming increasingly popular as more parents are looking for ways to ensure their children are receiving the best possible education.

3. Education Leadership: Education Leadership is a degree path that focuses on the leadership and management of educational institutions. This degree path covers topics such as educational policy, school administration, and curriculum development. It also focuses on the development of leadership skills in educational professionals. This degree path is becoming increasingly popular as more educational institutions are looking for ways to ensure their students are receiving the best possible education.

4. Special Education: Special Education is a degree path that focuses on the education of students with special needs. This degree path covers topics such as special education law, assessment, and instructional strategies. It also focuses on the development of strategies to support students with special needs. This degree path is becoming increasingly popular as more parents are looking for ways to ensure their children with special needs are receiving the best possible education.