The Child Life Department provides students at The University of Texas in Austin or Texas State University the opportunity to learn more about the Child Life profession. Our mission, as stated by the Child Life Council, is as follows: “We…strive to reduce the impact of stressful or traumatic life events and situations, which affect the development, health, and well-being of infants, children, youth and families. We embrace the value of play as a healing modality as we work to enhance the normal growth and development of infants, children and youth through assessment, intervention, prevention, advocacy, and education.”
Applications are accepted at the following times:
- Spring Semester Application into the child life department by October 5
- Fall Semester Application into the child life department by March 29
- Practicum will not be offered for summer 2010
If these dates fall on a weekend, applications will be accepted until the next business day.
If you are accepted as a practicum student, you will provide age-appropriate play to patients in one of our activity areas and then you will rotate with child life specialists to learn more about interventions in their area. These hours will usually be Monday-Friday but will include some weekends and evenings as well. Each week you will have a different schedule, so we ask that you apply only if you can be flexible.
Pre-requisites for child Life Practicum
- Student at the University of Texas at Austin or Texas State University, Human Development and Family Sciences or Family and Child Development majors have priority consideration
- Experience interacting with well children in a structured environment (Please include this information on the Experience Working with Children form)
- Experience with hospitalized or chronically ill children preferred
- Experience planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities for groups of children and individuals preferred
- Working knowledge of developmental theory including child development
- Awareness of family dynamics and sensitivity to varying family needs
- Completed application to Student Program Coordinator
- On site interview
- Fulfill requirements to become a volunteer through Volunteer Services