Play as Therapy

Karen Stagnitti PhD is Associate Professor of the Occupational Science and Therapy program at Deakin University, Australia. She has over 30 years' experience as a paediatric occupational therapist working with children who have issues with their development. Rodney Cooper PhD is a rural-based academic with the University of Newcastle, Australia. As a paediatric occupational therapist he has a broad interest in play therapy, child abuse and sustainable rural communities.

It is a book that affirms, excites and challenges... In each chapter are hidden gems of learning and wisdom... Ultimately it is a most valuable source of learning and an invitation to further exploration because its style is engaging and, at the same time, reassuring.

• Foreword. Preface. Section One: Theoretical Understandings of Play. Chapter 1. Play as Child Chosen Activity. Jenny Sturgess, Allied Health Manager for Queensland Health, Australia. Chapter 2. Play as Transaction: the Impact of Child Maltreatment. Rodney Cooper, Academic in the University Department of Rural Health, University of Newcastle, Australia. Chapter 3. Children and Playfulness. Reinie Cordier, Doctoral Fellow at the University of Sydney and Anita Bundy, Professor and Chair of Occupational Therapy at the University of Sydney. Chapter 4. Children and Pretend Play. Karen Stagnitti, Associate Professor in the School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Australia. Section Two: Play Assessment. Chapter 5. Play Assessment: A Psychometric Overview. Ted Brown, Senior Lecturer and Postgraduate Coordinator in the Department of Occupational Therapy, Monash University, Australia and Rachael McDonald, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Primary Health Care, Monash University, Australia. Chapter 6. Pretend Play Assessment. Karen Stagnitti. Chapter 7. Play Skill Assessment for Middle Childhood. Jenny Sturgess. Chapter 8. Assessing Play in a Social Setting. Tiina Lautamo, Lecturer at Savonia University of Applied Sciences in Kuopio, Finland. Section Three: Play Contexts. Chapter 9. Play in the Hospital Environment. Judi Parson, Registered Nurse at North West Regional Hospital, Tasmania, Australia. Chapter 10. Parent Child Play Interactions. Susan A. Esdaile, Honorary Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Monash University and at the University of Sydney. Chapter 11. Cultural Considerations. Athena A. Drewes, Director of Clinical Training at the Astor Home for Children, New York. Section Four: Play Based Therapies. Chapter 12. Play Intervention – the Learn to Play Program. Karen Stagnitti. Chapter 13. Playing for Healing and Growth: Exploring Theory and Practice in Non-Directive/Child Centred Play Therapy. Virginia Ryan, Chartered Child Psychologist with the British Psychological Society, qualified Play Therapist and Supervisor with the British Association of Play Therapists and Certified Filial Therapist and Filial Therapy Instructor with the Family Enhancement and Play Therapy Center, USA. Chapter 14. Challenging Bodies: Enabling Physically Disabled Children to Participate in Play. Rachael McDonald and Ted Brown. Chapter 15. Play as Therapy: Different Settings, Different Approaches. Rodney Cooper. List of Contributors. References. Index.