Play is the language of a child. The art of Play Therapy uses play to help children express their feelings through toys instead of words. Play is the child’s natural medium of expression. Toys are to children what words are to adults.
The Association For Play Therapy (APT) defines play therapy as “the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development.”
In the textbook, Play Therapy : The Art of the Relationship (2nd ed), Dr. Gary Landreth defined child centered play therapy as follows: “A dynamic interpersonal relationship between a child and a therapist trained in play therapy procedures who provides selected play materials and facilitates the development of a safe relationship for the child to fully express and explore self through play, the child’s natural medium of communication, for optimal growth and development.”
Play Therapy provides a way for a child to express their experience and feelings through the art of play. If you want to know more about play therapy, watch the following video which explains the value of play and the play therapy process.
-Sandy
