Have YOU Played Today? Embracing Play In Adulthood As Self-care - (2025)

Includes a Live Web Event on 03/26/2025 at 1:00 PM (EDT)

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This session explores play in adulthood as a self-care strategy, beginning with a review of research on play as a coping technique and the stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout child life specialists face. Participants will then engage in activities inspired by Brown's (2009) work, including reflecting on their play history and identifying their play personalities to reconnect with play in a way that fosters joy and comfort. The session emphasizes the individualized nature of self-care, guiding participants to adapt childhood activities into adult versions that evoke similar positive emotions.

Suggested Domain: Professional Responsibility

Credits: 1.5 PDU

Learning Objective(s):

1. Participants will recognize the value of play in adulthood and its use as self-care

2. Participants will reflect on their play history to rediscover activities that brought them joy and comfort in childhood.

3. Participants will identify the eight different types of play personalities and assess which one(s) they relate to.

4. Participants will compose potential play strategies they could use for self-care

Please note: All webinar content and its certificate will expire on March 26, 2028, regardless of when it is purchased, accessed, or completed. At that point, contents will no longer be available in any form, including as an archive or as a PDU certificate. It is the responsibility of the learner to complete the contents and download and save the certificate for their records prior to March 26, 2028.

Melissa Racioppa, CCLS, PhD

Chair and Assistant Professor of the Psychology-Child LIfe Program

Utica University

Dr. Melissa Racioppa is a distinguished academic and practitioner specializing in child life, early childhood education, and healthcare advocacy. She earned her Ph.D. in Education with a focus on Early Childhood Education Leadership and Advocacy from Walden University, where her research explored active shooter preparedness in early childhood settings. She also holds a Master’s in Healthcare Administration and a Bachelor’s in Psychology-Child Life from Utica College. Following more than two decades as Director of Child Life Services at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, Dr. Racioppa transitioned to academia, where she currently serves as Assistant Professor and Chair of the Psychology-Child Life Program at Utica University, where she has innovated curricula and championed student success.

Her dedication extends beyond the classroom through active participation in national organizations, including the Child Life Certification Commission, the Association of Child Life Professionals, and as a founding member of the Child Life Academic Society. Her commitment to research, advocacy, and excellence continues to shape the future of child life education

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Have YOU Played Today? Embracing Play In Adulthood as Self-care

03/26/2025 at 1:00 PM (EDT) | 90 minutes

03/26/2025 at 1:00 PM (EDT) | 90 minutes This session explores play in adulthood as a self-care strategy, beginning with a review of research on play as a coping technique and the stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout child life specialists face. Participants will then engage in activities inspired by Brown's (2009) work, including reflecting on their play history and identifying their play personalities to reconnect with play in a way that fosters joy and comfort. The session emphasizes the individualized nature of self-care, guiding participants to adapt childhood activities into adult versions that evoke similar positive emotions.