Play therapy is primarily used to help children ages 3 to 12 freely express repressed thoughts and emotions through play. Therapeutic play normally takes place in a safe, comfortable playroom, where very few rules or limits are imposed on the child, encouraging free expression and allowing the therapist to observe the child’s choices, decisions, and play style.
The goal is to help children learn to express themselves in healthier ways and discover new and more positive ways to solve problems. Therapeutic play helps children with social or emotional deficits learn to communicate better, change their behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and relate to others in positive ways.
The Benefits
Therapists can utilize a child’s natural tendencies toward play to help them process complicated emotions they may not otherwise be able to express, which help him/her develop skills that positively impacts their development and progress in life.
- Promotes increased self-regulation
- Fosters development of creative thinking
- Improves social skills and capacity for empathy
- Develops independence