DSRS4104 Early Intervention and Play for Young Children with Diverse Learning Needs

This topic will build on students knowledge of programming methodology with a focus on preschool aged children. The emphasis will be on working with families, inter-professional approaches and strengths based models of learning. Particular populations who clearly benefit from early intervention will be explored such as children with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, sensory impairment and other conditions. Using play to promote early learning will be a focus of the topic.

This topic aims to:

• Introduce students to models of best practice in working with young children with diverse learning needs
• Explore current research and practice relating to play and the links with early intervention
• Introduce students to the benefits of play and early intervention in facilitating play skill development in children with diverse learning needs
• Assess play and plan an effective play intervention program for a child with diverse learning needs

1. Identify the relevant literature and research a learning topic around a contemporary issue in early childhood intervention, and construct a fact sheet from this
2. Apply relevant observations skills in notating a child’s play behaviours
3. Interpret a child’s play skills and justify their play developmental level in utilizing a play developmental checklist
4. Apply findings to complete, score and interpret using a play assessment tool
5. Develop an appropriate play program for a child with additional needs based on observation and assessment