What is play therapy?
Play is children’s natural medium of self-expression, essential for enabling them to develop physically, emotionally and socially. It fosters the imagination and encourages creativity. It builds confidence and concentration. It helps them to make friends and learn about their ever-expanding world. It allows them to learn from mistakes safely.
Used therapeutically, play offers the opportunity for children to help themselves by “playing out” feelings and problems. There are various media for expression on offer, and it can also be completely non-verbal. During the period of play therapy a trusting relationship develops with the therapist, in which children begin to feel safe enough to explore their difficulties and learn new ways of relating. Play therapy offers a safe place, a regular time, and firm boundaries within which to make choices and consider new possibilities. In the process they have fun, and experience acceptance, relaxation, and satisfaction.
Emotional difficulties interfere with learning and relationships. Children who are experiencing a lot of anxiety or fear have high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can have far-reaching effects on brain development. In particular, it affects the growth of connections between different parts of the brain, which enable thought, planning, learning and memory. In addition, children preoccupied with uncomfortable feelings have little energy left for concentrating on learning, and they may be “on a short fuse” much of the time, causing disruption in class and in their friendships.
For more information about play therapy see www.playtherapy.org.uk