Play Therapy – What is it and how does it help children? (Part 2) by Dr. Devita Singh, Ph.D., C.Psych. Clinical Psychologist, Lambeth Psychology Emotions are a normal part of a child’s life. They play a very important role by communicating to children how they are doing on the inside. At times, however, emotions can feel overwhelming and
might, for example, involve helping children label their feelings, create a story to explain something that has happened, and find the right words to express what is troubling them. In play, a child may take “risks” without worrying about real-life consequences, thus allowing them to tolerate discomfort. This can translate into taking healthy risks in real life, like trying out for a team, answering questions in class, staying in their room at night, or saying “no” when they need to. When children’s feelings are processed, and they are less overwhelmed by them, they can use their deep capacity for creativity to identify strategies for managing real- life situations. Through therapeutic play, important changes can occur in children’s self-image, self-understanding, and capacity for self-control. Play Therapy is usually done with children between the ages of 4 and 10 or 11, and can be used for a wide range of matters (bullying, anxiety, adjustment to big changes, mental health disorders, to list a few). Play Therapy is not intended to be a stand-alone treatment. It always involves working with parents to help them develop in their understanding of their child’s needs and how to meet them. So how does Play Therapy help? Play Therapy helps children make sense of their internal world in a way that can lead to changes in their external life. The art of Play Therapy is that it integrates the power of play with a safe, therapeutic relationship to create an experience for children through which their internal lives can be shared, understood, accepted, and helped when it needs to be. The totality of the experience is the power of Play Therapy. Part 2 of a 2-part series on Play in Child Development. Part 1 was printed in the January-February 2025 issue of the Lambeth Villager. Lambeth Psychology is located at 2324 Main Street, Lambeth. Visit lambethpsychology.ca to learn more.
To advertise here, please contact Gloria@villagerpublications.com A therapist’s role is to make sense of what the child is trying to communicate and respond in a way that fosters insight. This can “take over” a child’s thoughts, behaviours, and feelings about themselves. A child can become “stuck” in an emotional state, and this can affect them in many ways – they may “act out” behaviourally, they may have difficulty being alone or falling asleep, they may seem uninterested in leisure, they may seem unable to focus when focus is needed, and so forth. One of the best ways to help a child who is struggling with emotions is to help them process it. Processing an emotion involves expressing it so that you can begin to make sense of it. This allows the emotion to feel less overwhelming and more manageable and allows you to sort out what to do about your situation. Processing an emotion leads to insight and behaviour change. Adults usually process their emotions using words. However, words can be a barrier when children are trying to express an overwhelming emotional experience. Children need a more natural form of expressing themselves. One such option is the therapeutic use of play, which is commonly called Play Therapy. Play Therapy builds on what we already know about the importance of play to children’s development. Play is a child’s natural form of communication and connection. Children use play to express their feelings, thoughts, ideas, and fantasies. Play is especially important for processing emotions. When children play, they feel safe, and they are more likely to express what is happening on the inside. Play Therapy enhances these normal benefits of the play experience to help children work through what may be troubling them so that they may experience relief and be able to carry on with the developmental tasks of childhood. The goal of therapy isn’t to “make” a child talk; rather, the goal is to provide an environment through which children can comfortably and spontaneously share their internal word, so that it may be processed. By connecting through play, therapists help children feel safe and this safety becomes the foundation for sharing. With the use of play materials, children express thoughts, feelings, fantasies, and their view of themselves. Children may also “play out” what they have experienced. A child who has experienced a medical trauma may use dolls or puppets to “play out” themes of pain or fear of moving their body. A child whose anxiety is highest at night may play out fears of the dark, or being in their room alone, or worries that something bad could happen while they sleep. A child who feels deeply ashamed when they lose at anything or who has fear of failing or of being wrong may play this out through attempts at always controlling the outcome of games or play in therapy. A child who fears rejection may “play out” always being “nice” and compliant so that no one is ever upset with them.
We come to you based on your schedule!
YOUR TRUSTED LOCAL AUTO GLASS COMPANY WE OFFER: Windshield Replacement Stone Chip Repair Enhanced Windshield Treatment NEW! Mobile Recalibration
BEST PRICE GUARANTEE
Call today!
226-973-7810
ForestCityAutoGlass.ca
Lambeth Villager • March 2025 • Page 7
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs