PLAY is the language, TOYS are the words!

Children communicate best through play and, in effect, use toys as their words to express their pain as well as their joy. Play therapists not only use this form of communication with children to help them heal, but they also teach parents to communicate with their child in this special way. Typically, this involves specific toys, metaphors, role playing, creative arts, fantasy, and games. Although some of the techniques could be employed by parents, most would work better with the help of a professional play therapist. For instance, it is easy to instruct a child to “draw a family.” However, play therapists are trained to find meaning in the distance between family members, their relative size, and the order in which they are drawn. Adults not trained in play therapy might misinterpret this meaning and respond defensively, which can harm the relationship and communication between adult and child.

Play therapists introduce each activity with a rationale in mind and choose age appropriate materials that allow children the freedom to express themselves.  They might have the child form a piece of clay into a monster figure to represent the scary element of a child’s nightmare. This makes a child’s fears concrete and more manageable. It helps the child to externalize the problem and perceive it as outside and separate from him or herself. 

Children under 12 will especially benefit from play therapy because they haven’t yet developed the vocabulary to speak about their problems. Some don’t even recognize that they are struggling. Adolescents and adults who are comfortable with metaphors and willing to explore their issues can also benefit from seeing and experiencing problems through play in ways that they have not before.

Play therapy is a suitable and engaging process for anyone who wants to learn more about themselves.