Play therapy is an innovative therapeutic approach that uses play as the primary tool to help children and adolescents overcome psychosocial difficulties and promote optimal growth and development.
This method is based on the recognition of play as the natural language of children and as a means through which they construct the meaning of the world around them.
The importance of play in child development
Play is universally recognized as a fundamental right of every child, as enshrined by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Resolution 44/25 of November 20, 1989. This recognition underlines the crucial importance of play in the social, physical, cognitive, and emotional development of young people.
The main characteristics of play include:
- Fun as a central element
- Non-literality, or the ability to pretend and imagine
- Flexibility and fluidity of activity
- Importance of the process over the result
- Voluntary participation
- Internal control of the player
- Active involvement
- Intrinsic motivation
The Greek philosopher Anacharsis (6th century BC) stated: “play so that you can be serious” emphasizing how play prepares the child for adult life, allowing them to learn the rules of life in a safe and controlled context.
Play as a therapeutic tool
Play Therapy is based on the principle that play possesses intrinsic “therapeutic powers.” C.E. Schaefer (1993) defines these powers as “factors that exert a beneficial effect on the client, in the sense that they determine a decrease in symptoms or an increase in desired behavior.”
Some of the main therapeutic powers of play include:
- Abreaction: allows children to relive and process traumatic experiences gradually and in a controlled manner.
- Access to the unconscious: through mechanisms such as displacement, symbolization, and projection, unconscious conflicts can emerge during play.
- Catharsis: play offers an opportunity for emotional release, essential in any form of psychotherapy.
- Skill development: through play, children develop a sense of competence that supports their self-esteem.
- Self-expression: play allows children to express thoughts and emotions that might be difficult to verbalize.
- Facilitation of learning: being a pleasurable activity, play stimulates attention and learning in the child.
- Development of sense of self: play helps in creating and strengthening personal identity.
The practice of Play Therapy
A play therapist is a mental health professional specifically trained in this discipline. Their role is to create a safe, welcoming, and playful environment in which the child can feel free to express themselves.
The tools used in Play Therapy are varied and may include:
- Toys and everyday objects (similar to the Montessori method)
- Artistic materials such as colors, clay, paper
- Puppets and masks
- Board games
- Sandbox
- Musical instruments
- Books and stories
The therapist uses these tools to help the child:
- Express difficult emotions
- Process traumatic experiences
- Develop social skills
- Improve problem-solving abilities
- Strengthen self-esteem and self-confidence
Benefits of play therapy
Play therapy, as we have said, offers numerous benefits for children and adolescents:
- Provides a means of non-verbal communication, particularly useful for children who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally.
- Helps reduce anxiety and stress related to difficult or traumatic situations.
- Promotes the development of social and emotional skills.
- Improves the ability to self-regulate and manage emotions.
- Promotes creativity and divergent thinking.
- Strengthens the bond between parents and children when parents are involved in the therapeutic process.
- Can be an excellent way to support giftedness, often neglected by schools due to lack of necessary skills to do so.
We are with you.
Play therapy represents an innovative and effective approach in treating a wide range of adolescent and childhood issues. By harnessing the natural power of play, this form of therapy offers young patients a safe and familiar way to explore their emotions, process difficult experiences, and develop essential life skills.
We at Parentalife are here throughout the parenting journey and support you with our guides, courses and personalized consultations.
Remember, we are with you.
SOURCES
1. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child
2.Koukourikos K, Tsaloglidou A, Tzeha L, Iliadis C, Frantzana A, Katsimbeli A, Kourkouta L. An Overview of Play Therapy. Mater Sociomed. 2021 Dec;33(4):293-297. doi: 10.5455/msm.2021.33.293-297. PMID: 35210953; PMCID: PMC8812369.