Play
therapy in school is an adjunct to the learning environment. It helps children
in academics when they explore their feelings and learn to adjust to their
environment in a play therapy session. If a child is upset for a particular
reason, he can get his feelings out by enacting them in the sand tray or
punching a punching bag. This releases his negative feelings and helps him
focus on the learning in class.
In Play therapy children learn
o
To
respect themselves – The therapist shows constant positive regard and acceptance
irrespective of the child’s behavior. Children learn to respect themselves
because of this non-judgmental environment. When they learn to respect
themselves, they respect others.
o
That
their feelings are acceptable – The therapists accept the expressions of all
intensities from the child, which conveys the message that it’s ok to have different
kinds of feelings.
o
To
Express their feelings responsibly – When the children’s feelings are accepted,
they learn to express their feelings with control. Instead of a child
controlled by the feeling, he decides how to express the feelings and how to
deal with them.
o
To
assume responsibility for themselves- The therapist believes in the child’s
inner drive to learn and succeed. The therapist let the child try out things for
themselves and does not help the child with tasks that are attainable by the
child. The child discovers his strength and ability and takes responsibility.
o
To
be creative and resourceful in confronting problems – The therapist lets the
children find solutions for their problems in the playroom. In this process,
the children learn to find creative solutions, trust themselves and believe in their
capability to solve their problems.
o
Self-control
and self-direction – The playroom provides a huge opportunity for the children
to lead, take control of the toys and their experience in the playroom. Unlike
most adults in a child’s life, the therapist does not make decisions for him.
Limits in the playroom are set to facilitate decision making by the child.
o
To
accept themselves – The therapist’s unconditional acceptance of a child leads
to the child’s acceptance of herself. This acceptance is a foundation of
positive self-concept.
o
To
make choices and be responsible for their choices – The power to make a
decision in the playroom is granted to a child. This empowers him to make
choices outside of the playroom. They learn to take responsibility for the
consequences of their choices.
The
most wonderful part of the play therapy is that children learn all these things
while playing!
Source: Gary
Landreth (2012)
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