Course Work
Coursework has been important to me because it has helped me connect what I’m learning in the classroom to the real work I want to do with children and families. It’s given me a strong understanding of how kids grow and how to support them during hard times, especially in medical or stressful situations. These classes have helped me feel more prepared and confident as I move toward my goal of becoming a Child Life Specialist.
1
HDFS 3510 – Therapeutics
This course taught me how therapeutic tools like play, preparation, and emotional support can help children cope with medical experiences. I learned the importance of supporting the whole child emotionally, socially, and developmentally not just their physical health. This course helped me see how Child Life Specialists use therapeutic techniques to reduce fear, build trust, and create a sense of safety for children in stressful healthcare settings. It strengthened my understanding of how to approach each child with intention and care, which is essential to my future role as a Child Life Specialist.
2
HDFS 3460 – Effective Guidance and Interaction with Young Children
In this class, I learned how children’s behavior is shaped by their environment and adult interactions. I developed skills in observing behavior, understanding developmental patterns, and responding to children with patience and intention. This course gave me a deeper understanding of how to guide and support children through positive, respectful relationships—skills that are essential in Child Life, where emotional support and trust-building are key to helping children cope with difficult or unfamiliar experiences.
3
HDFS 3461 – Effective Guidance and Interaction with Young Children Lab
This hands-on lab allowed me to interact directly with 3- and 4-year-olds at the Auburn University Early Learning Center. I gained real experience guiding children through play, helping them problem-solve, and supporting their social-emotional development. A meaningful part of this course was playing with children daily and learning how to adjust my language and actions to match their developmental level. I gained strong communication and creativity skills, and learned how to build trusting relationships with young children through play, patience, and consistency. These experiences are directly related to my goal of becoming a Child Life Specialist, where connecting with children through developmentally appropriate play and emotional support is essential to helping them cope in healthcare settings.
4
HDFS 3500 – Hospitalized Children and Their Families
This course confirmed my desire to become a Child Life Specialist. It was the first time I saw medical play used to explain a procedure—a doll was used to show a child how an IV works—and it opened my eyes to how powerful and healing play can be in medical settings. I gained skills in child advocacy, procedural support, and therapeutic communication. I also learned how to use developmentally appropriate tools like play, preparation, and emotional support to help children feel more in control and less afraid. These are essential skills for my future in Child Life, where my role will be to reduce fear, promote understanding, and support families through difficult medical experiences.
5
HDFS 3010 – Child Development in the Family
This course helped me understand how children grow physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively within the context of family. I learned how different types of play impact brain development, emotional regulation, and learning. Engaging in hands-on activities helped me see how everyday play supports all areas of development. This course deepened my understanding of why play is such a powerful tool for children which directly connects to my goal of becoming a Child Life Specialist. In hospital settings, I will use play not only as a way to support development, but also to help children feel safe, express emotions, and cope with medical experiences.