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Why Play Therapy is Important for Your Child


Why Play Therapy is Important for Your Child


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“Trying to understand child’s emotional and mental wellbeing through their own language i.e. Play”

 

It is not easy to involve children in therapy with a casual setting in a room with sofas’ or tables and chairs. Children need their own kind of surroundings to get comfortable and get involved in the process of therapy. So ‘play therapy’ is used where a child is given therapy in a room full of toys and other play aids, such as a dollhouse to predict family members or stuffed animals and puppets. Along with that, there are some art and craft items also because children love to draw and create as compared to playing with stuffed animals. With all these, a child can not only explore but also express themselves while roaming around in the preferable surroundings and get engaged in activities they like. Allowing such arrangement will ultimately lead a child to feel secure and safe with which the flow of emotions will be natural. 

                                    

 Through play therapy a child 

 

  1. Can develop an interest in the living world and self-awareness as they are engaged with their area of interest and their ability to understand it. This will help them to develop social skills and improvement in sensory issues.
     

  2. During play activities such as role-playing, story-telling, songs with voice modulations a child begins to recognize sounds, faces, and speech. With all these, a child will develop cognitive skills that will help with improving communication and building relations. 
     

  3. While playing a child will get involved in trial and error methods that will help them in decision making and problem-solving skills. 
     

Role of therapist in child therapy
 

With this therapy, a therapist observes the child’s behavior when a child is exploring and expressing with toys and games. Their flow of emotions is natural as they communicate with challenges of their past in their own environment. 

 

For example- A young girl child who was 7 years old was a rape victim, she did not share her instance with anybody, not even her parents. Then she was involved in play therapy, after rapport-building sessions, she took a doll and started removing her clothes. On asking what she was doing she said “Uncle did this to me”.  

 

There are two types of play therapy techniques used:                            

Directive method

 

In this method, a therapist sets a goal in mind for the therapy session and will direct the child to a specific toy or a game that’ll be used in the session.

Nondirective  method

 

In this method, there is no specific goal in the mind of the therapist. The session works according to the will of the child as he/she is free to choose a toy or a game with fewer instructions or interruptions. Basically, during the session, the therapist will observe closely and would participate in the task if appropriate.                                         

 

Methodology for play therapy:

 

  • Creative visualization

  • Storytelling

  • Role-playing

  • Toy phones

  • Dolls, puppets, stuffed animals

  • Art & craft

  • Sand & water play

  • Blocks & construction toys

  • Dance & creative

  • Movement & musical play

 

Play therapy is used on children suffering from:

 

  • Developmental delay or learning disorders 

  • Aggressive or angry behavior

  • Family issues such as the divorce of parents, ignorance from a parent.

  • Domestic issues such as violence, neglect

  • Anxiety, depression, grief

  • ADHD

  • Autism spectrum disorder

  • Eating disorders

 

Play therapy is not just for children but also for adults suffering from Intellectual disabilities, dementia, substance abuse, anger management, unresolved childhood issues. With adults, the most commonly used technique involved is a role-playing and sand-play therapy. Sand-play therapy is the most therapeutic technique as it helps an individual to get in touch with their inner self and feelings as they feel soothing and calm with this present scenario. Along with this art therapy, music therapy can also help in revealing the hidden traumas or feelings due to which an individual is having a hard time. 

 

Psychologists as mental health care providers play a major role in understanding biological, behavioral, and social factors that influence mental health and physical wellbeing. Dr. (Prof) R K Suri, the Senior Clinical Psychologist at Psychowellness Center ( https://www.psychowellnesscenter.com/ ), is a trained professional clinical psychologist, having more than 36 years of experience in all kinds of mental health issues and related therapeutic interventions.

 

Furthermore, TalkToAngel online mental health services under him put your needs first. They can help you with flexible appointments, personalized and customized intervention plans all at the tip of your fingers.

 

Read also:

Identify Attachment Style Of Your Child: 4 Attachment Styles

 

Complete List Of Age Appropriate Chores For Your Kids

 

How Adhd Is Affecting You And Your Child

 

Are You Doing Right Parenting ?

 

Is Your Child Development Going Right?

 

Child Psychology & Mind Development

 

 

 

 

 

Janakpuri Clinic

DWARKA CLINIC