Play Therapy
Do you ever have difficulty understanding what is bothering you? If you talk to someone about those concerns, do you find yourself thinking “They just don’t understand”? What do you feel at times when this happens? Do you ever feel lonely, lost, frustrated, or misunderstood?
These kinds of questions and feelings are pretty common. Even the most intelligent and self-aware individuals find it difficult to explain what they feel to another person and ask for help. Due to the fact that cognitive and emotional development of children is still in progress, it is even more difficult for youngsters. Therefore, it’s much harder for children to make sense of what they feel and experience. In addition, because children’s language skills are still developing, it might be even harder for them to talk about the things that trouble them. Most of the time, they are just unable to let parents know that they need help.
When children cannot talk about what is troubling them, they start to act out and show how they feel. This is when we start noticing symptoms such as anxiety, crying spells, phobias, compulsive behaviors, depressive symptoms, unwillingness to cooperate, explosive temper tantrums, anger and aggression. These are the times when children start displaying problem such as resistance going to school, low grades, inability to make friends, language development delays, regression of development, sleeping problems, issues with eating, physical health problems, etc. Seeing their own child suffering causes parents excruciating pain. The majority of parents desperately want to help, but often times they are just not sure of where to begin and how to approach the issues.
Play is a natural activity that allows children to express themselves and process their feelings. Toys are children’s words and play is their language. In play, children communicate their conscious and unconscious feelings, and the experiences that have significantly impacted them will eventually manifest themselves in their play. Play with specially selected toys and art material allows children to express what they are struggling with without remembering or re-experiencing the traumatic event. Children gain relief when communicating their feelings to someone with whom they can connect and who is able to understand them.
Play therapists use special language and techniques that encourage children to use their imagination to solve and overcome their problems. In the presence of a play therapist who instills a sense of hope and trust, children feel safe to test new ideas, behaviors, and learn new skills. This is when the emotional, behavioral, social, and physical symptoms begin to diminish. In the process of play, therapy children gain self-confidence, a sense of responsibility, and the sense of an independent and capable self. Children who were excessively worried, depressed, controlling, or aggressive learn to control and regulate their emotions. They become more cooperative, easygoing, and happier individuals. Children who previously struggled in social situations become more socially adept and make new friends. Children who had difficulty adjusting learn to better cope with stressful life events. As a result, their academics improve and they feel less resistant going to school. When children’s emotional and physical states improve, parents are able to bond easier and create a stronger parent-child relationship.
Most play therapists also work with parents helping them to make the necessary changes in the ways in which they approach their children. Therapists provide parents information and knowledge that will enhance their ability to understand and connect with their children. Most therapists help parents master techniques that can make their parenthood a much easier and enjoyable experience.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play_therapy
These kinds of questions and feelings are pretty common. Even the most intelligent and self-aware individuals find it difficult to explain what they feel to another person and ask for help. Due to the fact that cognitive and emotional development of children is still in progress, it is even more difficult for youngsters. Therefore, it’s much harder for children to make sense of what they feel and experience. In addition, because children’s language skills are still developing, it might be even harder for them to talk about the things that trouble them. Most of the time, they are just unable to let parents know that they need help.
When children cannot talk about what is troubling them, they start to act out and show how they feel. This is when we start noticing symptoms such as anxiety, crying spells, phobias, compulsive behaviors, depressive symptoms, unwillingness to cooperate, explosive temper tantrums, anger and aggression. These are the times when children start displaying problem such as resistance going to school, low grades, inability to make friends, language development delays, regression of development, sleeping problems, issues with eating, physical health problems, etc. Seeing their own child suffering causes parents excruciating pain. The majority of parents desperately want to help, but often times they are just not sure of where to begin and how to approach the issues.
Play is a natural activity that allows children to express themselves and process their feelings. Toys are children’s words and play is their language. In play, children communicate their conscious and unconscious feelings, and the experiences that have significantly impacted them will eventually manifest themselves in their play. Play with specially selected toys and art material allows children to express what they are struggling with without remembering or re-experiencing the traumatic event. Children gain relief when communicating their feelings to someone with whom they can connect and who is able to understand them.
Play therapists use special language and techniques that encourage children to use their imagination to solve and overcome their problems. In the presence of a play therapist who instills a sense of hope and trust, children feel safe to test new ideas, behaviors, and learn new skills. This is when the emotional, behavioral, social, and physical symptoms begin to diminish. In the process of play, therapy children gain self-confidence, a sense of responsibility, and the sense of an independent and capable self. Children who were excessively worried, depressed, controlling, or aggressive learn to control and regulate their emotions. They become more cooperative, easygoing, and happier individuals. Children who previously struggled in social situations become more socially adept and make new friends. Children who had difficulty adjusting learn to better cope with stressful life events. As a result, their academics improve and they feel less resistant going to school. When children’s emotional and physical states improve, parents are able to bond easier and create a stronger parent-child relationship.
Most play therapists also work with parents helping them to make the necessary changes in the ways in which they approach their children. Therapists provide parents information and knowledge that will enhance their ability to understand and connect with their children. Most therapists help parents master techniques that can make their parenthood a much easier and enjoyable experience.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play_therapy
