Does your little one suddenly start crying, screaming, or struggling? Or does he sometimes become very quiet and withdrawn, in his own world? It is very difficult for young children, especially younger ones, to put their big feelings, questions, and fears into words and say, "Mommy, I feel this way." But they have another wonderful language that they speak to us. That is play . Yes, play is their language. In this article, we will talk about play therapy, which uses play as a scientific treatment method to help a child's mental well-being.
What is Play Therapy, simply put?
When you hear the word play therapy, you might think, "So my child plays at home, is that the same thing?" No, it's different. Play therapy is a specialized treatment method that uses play as a tool , under the guidance of a trained therapist, to help a child resolve emotional problems, behavioral problems, or difficulties caused by a traumatic experience.
Imagine, the therapist's room is a very safe and free place for the child. The toys there are the child's words. Using things like dolls, animals, cars, drawing tools, and clay, the child expresses the feelings in his heart that he cannot express in words, such as fear, anger, sadness, and happiness. What the therapist does is to observe the child's way of playing and understand what problem he is facing while guiding him.
Simply put, this method helps the child find solutions to their problems by looking at them through the protective shield of play, rather than confronting them directly.
This treatment is usually best suited for children between the ages of 3 and 12. However, it is sometimes used for older children or adults with certain learning disabilities.
Some of the things your child does may seem like "bad things" or "bad intentions" to you. But if you look at it from a different perspective, the child is trying to understand the world around him and the events he is facing. In this therapy, the child's efforts are given the right direction and strengthened to face future problems successfully.
What are the goals of this treatment?
Because every child is different, the goals of treatment will vary from child to child. The therapist will determine these goals after talking to you and taking into account your opinion of the child's condition. The table below lists some common goals of this treatment.
| Goal | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Teaching them to take responsibility for their own behavior. | It helps the child think, "Why did I do this?" "What is the result of my work?" |
| Teaching successful ways to deal with problems. | Instead of yelling when angry, help your child find other ways to control his or her emotions. |
| To teach creative problem solving. | It shows the child that there can be multiple solutions to a problem, rather than thinking in only one way. |
| Teaching to respect oneself and others. | It teaches them to understand that they are valuable and to respect the feelings and boundaries of others. |
| Teaching to express emotions correctly. | They teach us to express emotions like sadness, anger, and fear without hiding them, but in a way that doesn't cause trouble for others. |
| Compassion and understanding the feelings of others. | It helps the child think, "What will the other person think if I do this?" |
Sometimes, the therapist allows the child to play completely freely. Other times, they provide a little guidance on how to play in a way that helps them achieve a goal. You, the parent, can also be invited to attend some sessions. That way, you can learn the same things your child is learning, understand the "why" behind their behavior, and help them at home.
What methods does the therapist use?
The therapist can understand what the child is thinking by looking at the toys they choose and the way they play. Here are some examples:
1. Nurturing Play
Imagine your child feeding, bathing, and cuddling a doll to sleep. This could be a subtle way for your child to express their need for more love and care from their parents . Or, they could be seeing themselves as the doll. This could be a way for them to find comfort in themselves.
2. Destroying or messing things up (Aggressor-Victim Play)
Does your child immediately throw the toy box on the floor and make a mess as soon as he comes into the room? This may indicate that he feels out of control in his daily life. If things don't go his way at home or at school, he may try to show his power or vent his anger by throwing toys around.
3. Sorting or Fixing Play
Does your child spend most of his time sorting toys by color, size, or packing them neatly? This suggests that he wants to create some order and control in his seemingly chaotic world . He may be trying to understand that "this is how things are supposed to be."
4. Sleep Play
If your child is constantly putting dolls or stuffed animals to sleep, or pretending to sleep himself, it could be a sign that he is feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of life . He may need a break, a way to escape from these problems for a while. Perhaps a child who is afraid of sleeping alone at night or has separation anxiety may be using this type of play to calm down during the day.
Take-Home Message
- Play is the most natural and powerful language for a child to express their feelings, fears, and problems.
- Play Therapy is not just about playing. It is a scientifically based treatment method conducted under the guidance of a trained professional.
- This therapy can be very helpful if your child has behavioral problems, excessive anger, sadness, antisocial behavior, or has experienced a traumatic experience.
- A child's "bad behavior" is often a cry for help. It's important to understand and respond to it.
- If you have any concerns about your child's mental health or behavior, don't be ashamed or afraid to talk to your doctor . He or she can give you the right guidance.
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