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Sep 17
Why Play Therapy? This article describes why play therapy is the most effective type of therapy for children ages 3-12.
by Margaret Shiver, LifeCHANGE Counselor
“Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul” –Friedrich Froebel
“Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.” Genesis 2:19-20
God created Adam in His own image, but by allowing Adam to name the animals, God also gave Adam the freedom to express what was in his soul. This moment also happens in the Play Therapy room in counseling. Children are given autonomy with no direction and no agenda. They are given the freedom to choose the animals, the games, or the pictures they want to draw. Just like Adam in the garden, children in the Play Therapy room are in a safe environment, able to authentically express what is in their souls.
Have you ever wondered what a child is thinking when they are playing? I love their creative imaginations and their laughter at the most simple things. As adults, we want to protect those innocent ears and minds from ever experiencing anything harmful or traumatic. We want to shield them from disappointment and hurtful feelings that might come from life’s events. Sometimes, life doesn’t always happen that way. Children experience grief or divorce, get bullied at school, or are ridiculed by their friends. How can a mind of a five year old comprehend or even begin to understand these events? It simply cannot. They have to express their feelings and those feelings are often expressed through play.
For a child, play is their language and the toys are their words. When children are going through stressful events in their lives, Play Therapy is utilized to help them process those feelings and resolve challenges to help reach their maximum growth and development.
So why Play Therapy?
Play Therapy differs from regular play in that the counselor helps children address and resolve their own problems. In Play Therapy, a safe atmosphere is created where children are freely able to express their feelings, try new things, learn about social rules and restrictions, and work through their problems. This can be done through the variety of toys and games that are used in the play room. A child making up a story with puppets or using figures in a sand tray can be a metaphor for what might be going on at home or school. When we encounter problems as adults, we are mentally able to process the problem, work through it, and find solutions. This happens with children as well, but it happens through their imagination. They are still processing the problem, just in a different way. In the play room, children learn new skills and find confidence to try them in the outside world.
Although everyone benefits, Play Therapy is especially appropriate for children ages 3 through 12 years old. Sessions of Play Therapy are 50 minutes in length, held weekly, and usually run consistently for 8-10 weeks.