With this quote, the child psychologist Haim Ginott aptly describes the language of children, and how 'play' is actually their prime means of communication. Through the use of games, drawing, music and imaginative stories, Play Therapy has emerged and developed as an effective means of allowing children to non-verbally release and work through difficult emotional states. Although children usually cannot cognitively understand or linguistically describe the nature of an emotional disturbance, they
|
|
possess an instinctive capacity and desire for expression. The therapeutic setting provides three essential elements which encourage this expression: Containment, Non-judgemental guidance, and freedom of expression. By having a regular time and secure space, children use play to express wishes and describe internal conflicts and the way they see the world around them.
Play therapy works best with children ages 3–11, but may be utilized with other individuals
as well. |
