Understanding Play and Play Therapy
Why Play?
Play is children's language...
Children's play can be viewed as the natural medium of communication. Through play, children express their feelings, articulate their ideas, make sense of their experiences and consolidate and develop physical, mental and social skills.
Play is throughout the childhood…
From an early age, children develop through sensory play and attachment play with caregivers. This boosts their autonomy, confidence, and ability to regulate emotions. As they grow, they engage in more complex play like embodiment sensory play, small world projective play and drama role play, enhancing self-expression and social skills.
Play is a neural exercise…
play is essential in early development, allowing children to exercise their ability to regulate their physiological states. This ability is as crucial as IQ in determining academic performance.
- "Play is a child's natural medium for self-expression": — Virginia Axline
- "Toys are children's words and play is their language": — Gary L.
- "You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation": — Plato
- "Play is where children learn they are in control of their own life": — Cape Cod Toy Library
What is Play Therapy? - Relationship is the key
Play therapy fosters a dynamic child-therapist relationship, using selected toys and a secure environment to encourage self-expression and exploration, promoting optimal growth and behavioural development.
Play therapists create a safe and supportive environment where children can work through their feelings and learn healthy coping skills. Through play, children can process their thoughts and emotions, which can be difficult to express verbally.
Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate and effective way for children to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences when words aren’t enough. Through play, children can process difficult emotions, such as anxiety, anger, or sadness, in a safe and supportive environment. It helps them build emotional regulation skills, enhance self-esteem, and develop problem-solving abilities. For children who have experienced trauma or significant challenges, play therapy provides a non-threatening space to explore and heal. It also supports social skill development, fosters creativity, and strengthens relationships with peers and family members. By meeting children where they are—through play—therapists help them navigate life’s challenges, build resilience, and unlock their full potential.
“Play is the child’s symbolic language of self-expression and can reveal (a) what the child has experienced; (b) reactions to what was experienced; (c) feelings about what was experienced; (d) what the child wishes, wants, or needs; and (e) the child’s perception of self.”
― Garry L. Landreth, Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship
How is Play Therapeutic? - The Therapeutic Powers of Play
Schaefer and Drewes (2013) identified 20 agents of therapeutic change, also known as the therapeutic power of play, that are produced as healing elements through child-led play.
1. Faciliates Communication
Play therapy helps children develop emotional awareness and learn effective ways to express their feelings.
2. Fosters Emotional Welness
Through play, children gain confidence in social situations, build stronger relationships with others and cultivate empathy.
3. Enhances Social Skills
Play therapy provides a safe, nurturing environment for children to explore their fears and anxieties and discover healthy coping mechanisms.
4. Builds Personal Strengths
By engaging in play, children develop a stronger sense of self-worth and confidence in their abilities.
Who Can Benefit from Play Therapy?
Play therapy can be highly beneficial for a variety of children, including those experiencing anxiety, struggling with behavioural issues, or facing challenges at home or school. Children with a history of trauma or abuse can also find play therapy to be a valuable resource, as it provides a safe and nurturing environment for them to process their emotions.
Furthermore, play therapy can be especially helpful for children with developmental delays, ADHD, or Autism Spectrum Disorder, as it allows them to express themselves and develop essential social and emotional skills through play. Children going through major life transitions, such as a family move or the loss of a loved one, may also find comfort and support in the play therapy process.
Two meta-analyses confirmed the effectiveness of CCPT in improving psychosocial well-being in children, especially in addressing emotional difficulties. Research indicates that CCPT effectively addresses internalised behaviours (anxiety and depression) as well as externalised behaviours (aggression, poor self-regulation) and challenges with self-esteem and self-concept, highlighting the therapeutic relationship in fostering resilience and a constructive self-structure in children.
Schedule an initial consultation
Contact us to schedule a consultation with our experienced play therapist. We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for children to heal and grow.
