Certificate in Therapeutic and Creative Play Skills (Certificate, L9, 10 ECTS) (Middle East)

Module: Therapeutic and Creative Play Skills

This module introduces learners to advanced therapeutic and creative play approaches used to support the emotional wellbeing, resilience, and mental health of children and young people. It integrates theory, research, and reflective professional practice, enabling learners to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate play-based interventions within ethical and safeguarding frameworks.

Through experiential and practice-focused learning, participants explore how creative media can be used therapeutically to support communication, emotional expression, relationship-building, and self-regulation. The module emphasises reflective inquiry, critical evaluation of practice, and collaborative working within multidisciplinary settings.

Indicative Module Content

• Foundations of Therapeutic Play

  • Principles and purposes of therapeutic and creative play

  • Distinctions between play therapy, therapeutic play, and play-informed practice

  • The role of play in emotional development and wellbeing

• Child Development and Emotional Wellbeing

  • Key theories of child development relevant to play-based practice

  • Attachment, trauma, resilience, and emotional regulation

  • Understanding children’s needs across developmental stages

• Creative Media in Therapeutic Play

  • Use of art, paint, sand, clay, storytelling, and symbolic play

  • Supporting expression, meaning-making, and communication through creative processes

  • Creating safe and inclusive play environments

• Designing Therapeutic Play Interventions

  • Assessing needs and identifying appropriate play-based responses

  • Planning structured and responsive therapeutic play activities

  • Adapting approaches for diverse needs and contexts

• Ethics, Safeguarding, and Professional Practice

  • Ethical considerations in therapeutic and creative play

  • Boundaries, consent, confidentiality, and safeguarding responsibilities

  • Inclusive and culturally responsive practice

• Reflective Practice and Evaluation

  • Reflective models for professional learning and self-awareness

  • Evaluating the impact and effectiveness of therapeutic play interventions

  • Evidence-informed practice and critical engagement with research

• Collaborative and Multidisciplinary Working

  • Working alongside families, educators, and allied professionals

  • Communication and professional judgement in complex settings

  • Supporting children within wider systems of care and support

Applicants should normally hold:

• A Level 8 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as education, early childhood care and education, psychology, social care, youth work, counselling, nursing, or a related field.

OR

• A Level 7 ordinary degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, together with appropriate professional experience working with children or young people.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE: Applicants who do not have English as their first language must ensure they satisfy English Language requirements. For entry to undergraduate courses (NFQ Levels 6,7 and 8), a minimum score of 5.5 in an IELTS exam is required. For postgraduate courses (NFQ Levels 9 & 10), a minimum of 6.0 is required. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their English proficiency meets these requirements.

All classes are delivered via Zoom live (synchronously each week). It is the responsibility of all learners to have access to reliable broadband, a pc, laptop or telephone where Zoom classes can

be accessed, including a camera and keyboard in order that learners may interact with each other and the lecturer while in class, specifically in breakout rooms.

All lectures are recorded and made available on the Faculty Learning Management System, typically 24 hours following a lecture – should you miss a lecture. Note: Lecturers do appreciate that learners have their cameras on during class time so please ensure you have a quiet space to access your classes.

All programmes require that students attend an Online Induction on Friday 20th February at 7pm (Gulf Standard Time). The objective of this Induction session is to inform students of the TUS and in particular Faculty of Continuing Professional Online and Distance Learning operating system (Learning Management System). Following attendance, it is anticipated that all learners will enter their classes seamlessly on their first class night

Modules are delivered over 10 weeks in an online learning format.

· The module will be delivered in an online approach; over a period of 10 weeks as follows;

Online classes 2.5 hours one evening per week from 7pm-9.30 pm (Gulf Standard Time)

Consideration is also being given to holding a session on one Saturday during the 10 week period. This is where the lecturer may meet students in Dubai and deliver an in-person session over 4 – 6 hours. The Date and venue for this Saturday session is yet to be confirme

Each 10 credits will normally equate to approximately 200 Total Learning Hours. Total Learning Hours includes the time you spend in class (lectures, tutorials, practical elements) and the time you spend completing work outside of college, including applying your learning in your work environment and reflecting on what was discussed in your lecture. The balance between these two varies by discipline, and by level of study. You should bear in mind that the workload will increase at particular times e.g. when assignments are due.

100% Continuous Assessment, consisting of component parts throughout the semester. Assessment is practice focussed.

€1,000 ( €300 euro funding available to Middle East GAA Members)

€1000 payable in Euro (AED equivalent = 4336.20 approx.)

€300 funding available to Middle East GAA Members (AED equivalent = 1300.86 approx.)

All Fees payable in advance of course commencement

All Fees payable in Euros

Applications will close on Monday 16th February 2026 at 5pm (Gulf Standard Time)

Places are allocated on a first come first served basis

Programmes commencement is subject to viable numbers