Child psychiatrists and psychologists have long assumed that playtime can be utilized for children to learn, connect, provide reassurance, calm anxiety, and, perhaps, improve self-esteem. Play is an enjoyable activity that elevates spirits and expands the chance for self-expression, selfrealization, and self-efficacy. It regulates emotion, boosts one’s ego, and attaches individuals to each other in a positive way (Landreth, 2002). Some of the well-known thinkers of all time, including Plato and Aristotle, have reflected on the significance of play in human happiness and well-being. Moreover, the results of many studies indicate that play as a therapeutic procedure is a practical, effective, and safe intervention for children experiencing a broad range of mental and behavioral disorders, including Attention Deficit and Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) (Schaefer, 1993; Carmichael, 2006). Play therapy builds on the natural way through which children learn about themselves and their relationships in the world around them. The concrete objects (e.g. toys, art, etc.) used, as well as the play-based experiences provided in play therapy, afford an age-appropriate and emotionally safe means for ADHD children to express and deal with their difficult experiences. As a result, play therapy is currently practiced by thousands of clinicians to treat their young clients.
The Association for Play Therapy (APT) defines play therapy (PT) as "the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish
Following World War I, Klein developed the technique of play therapy, which is now used worldwide. As a substitute of Freud’s free association therapy in which the young and children are incapable, Klein developed the technique of play therapy to uncover children’s unconscious motivations. She believed that children, through the use of play and drawings, projected their feelings in therapeutic sessions. She hypothesized that the way children played with toys revealed earlier infantile fantasies and anxieties. Klein’s work highlighted that children’s unconscious lives could be understood by analysts through their non-verbal behavior. In the psychoanalysis of children, she showed how these anxieties affected a child’s developing ego, superego and sexuality to bring about emotional disorders and insecurities. Her methods attempt to relieve children of
If play is a child's language, then toys can be taken as the words. With play therapy the child can resolve their difficulties and concerns utilizing the toys that they pick, exposing their inner thoughts and discussions. With play the child has the ability to check out numerous circumstances and habits in a supportive environment. Genuine favorable regard and approval urges the child to feel safe adequate to be able to discover
10). According to Landreth (2012), “Play therapy… facilitates the development of a safe relationship for the child… to fully express and explore self (feelings, thoughts, experiences, and behaviors) through play, the child’s natural medium of communication, for optimal growth and development”
Haslam, D., Harris, S. (2011). Integrating Play and Family Therapy Methods: A Survey of Play
In their sessions together, Dr Axline integrates the principles of non-directive play therapy. Her psychological approach to children was based on most of the humanistic concepts of
Research on intervention effectiveness for adjustment disorders in children is limited. (Kington, 2011). The client has received six sessions of child centered play therapy (CCPT), a humanistic approach to play therapy for behaviors consistent with an adjustment disorder. The clinician knows of no research examining the effectiveness of play therapy as an intervention for adjustment disorder. However, the tenants of play therapy align well with symptoms associated with the disorder and the clients presenting concerns.
Therapeutic play, (including play therapy) , is a well established discipline predicated upon a number of psychological theories. Research, both qualitative and quantitative shows that it is highly efficacious in many cases. Recent research by PTUK, an organisation affiliated to PTI, suggests that 71% of the children referred to play therapy will show a positive change. A safe, confidential and caring environment is engendered which sanctions the child to play with as few limits as possible but as many as indispensable (for physical and emotional safety). This sanctions rejuvenating to occur on many calibers following our natural inner trend towards health. Play and ingeniousness operate on impulses from outside our cognizance - the insensate.
For some, play appears to be a child-specific occurrence associated with the healthy development of a child. However, when it becomes a therapeutic tool, there is limited exposure to fall on. Thus, we are wondering how therapeutic play works in the professional setting. Christina Brown in her discussion of how play is the innate mechanism of expression and communication of a developing child address not only benefits of play, but specific cases where play was the therapeutic tool that overturned positive treatment outcomes. Moreover, this is not play therapy. The cases she provided were not performed in a psychological setting or to render specific psychological benefits. In fact, the cases she uses to bolster her claims demonstrate the therapeutic
Play is a way for children to learn about their environment and how interaction occurs within. It is through trial and error that children are able to create options; follow their own interests and show “independence in thought and actions” using their knowledge and understanding (Moyles, 2005, p.3). Children develop resilience though play. However for a number of children can experience stressful occurrences during their lives and play can often be restricted. Therefore the play worker’s role in supporting children’s play is a crucial measure towards children's development. For those that work with children require the dexterity to prompt and contribute to children’s play, which can be seen as a principle aspect of therapeutic alliance.
Play therapy was first established by Carl Rogers in 1942. According to the Association for Play Therapy Board (1997) Play therapy is the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapist use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychological difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development (1997). The goal for play therapy is to be able to help provide a way for the children to express their feelings and experiences. There are two types of Play therapy that consist of Directive, and Non-directive. Non-directive play Therapy acknowledges and allows the child to direct the play. This technique has 5 different
The most important aspect in the reading is creativity in play therapy. The textbook noted the importance aspect is being opened minded and self-ware of creativity. There is misconception about creative development which is substantial for counselors to be aware regarding implementing play in therapy. The reading indicated that a growth mindset is a way to develop change, ability to improve and decrease worrying about imperfection (Gil, 2015 p. 57-59). Another major aspect in the reading was the three interacting dimensions, such as creative mindsets, creative thinking, and expressive processes. Having a creative mindset was explained as being playful and
Play therapy is an interpersonal process in which trained therapists utilize paly to help children with behavioral, emotional, and traumatic problems, and aids in children’s learning of coping skills. (Porter, 2005, p. 1025) This form of therapy originates from the fact that play is a child’s natural form of expression. (Homeyer, 2008, p. 210) It is during playtime that a child lowers their walls and defense mechanisms and simply expresses their thoughts and feelings. The child enjoys the given choice and freedom. Their inner wonderings, feelings and fantasy’s are brought to life through the use of space, toys and other objects they pick up. Children find comfort in using familiar tools. As a result, a safe place is created for them to gain an understanding of their feelings and actions, and utilize that knowledge to change and develop. In this safe place, children are more likely to engage in therapeutic processes. Play therapy is affective in that, through play children become self-aware. They learn to connect, express feelings, revise behavior, and acquire problem-solving techniques. Play therapy was a groundbreaking form of therapy during the 20th century, but there was no singular psychologist who wrote an amazing article that introduced play as a therapy to the world. Play therapy is the product of multiple psychologists revising, building and elaborating on the previous one’s idea. Play, as a therapy was a concept that evolved and developed over time into the largely
Play is the business of childhood, allowing your child free rein to experiment with the world around him and the emotional world inside him, says Linda Acredolo, professor of psychology at the University of California at Davis and co-author of Baby Signs: How to Talk With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk and Baby Minds: Brain-Building Games Your Baby Will Love. While it may look like mere child's play to you, there's a lot of work — problem solving, skill building, overcoming physical and mental challenges — going on behind the scenes. Here are some of the things your child is experiencing and learning, along with ideas on how you can help boost the benefits of his play. Play builds the
Play is the foundation stone of children’s healthy and productive lives (Oliver & Klugman, 2002) and is also a significant means of child’s learning and development (Zigler, Singer & Bishop-
Along with the many types of play, there are also a few functions of play. One of the functions of play is the ability to master anxieties and conflicts. Playing can relieve tension because of the relaxed setting and atmosphere. This also helps with coping with problems. Building with blocks and knocking them down is a great example of how play can relieve tension. This is fun and it lets the child show emotion. Another function of play is that it can work off excess energy. This is especially useful and important with children with ADHD. They have symptoms of hyperactivity and inability to concentrate, so play can help improve these issues by getting energy out and relieving any anxieties or tensions. Any kind of play can help children work off frustration and cope with their feelings. This is a form of play therapy. It is a simple way of kicking back and relaxing; doing something you enjoy. This can mean so many things such as coloring or playing with play doh.