WELCOME TO THE PARENTS CORNER
A place to support parents in order to gain a deeper understanding about Play Therapy for your child.
Parenting tips
A video by Play Therapist, Parenting Coach and Director of IPTCA, Yvonne Power. Things you can implement at home after watching this. Tips and tricks, things to look out for and explanations as to why certain behaviours may be presenting.
Benefits of Play Therapy
Play therapy is a powerful therapeutic approach for children aged 4 - 12 years, facing emotional, behavioural, or social difficulties. Play is used as the primary tool for communication and self-expression, allowing children to process their emotions and experiences in a safe and non-threatening environment. Here are some of the key benefits of play therapy for children:
1. Emotional Expression and Regulation:
Play therapy provides a space where children can freely express their emotions through play. By engaging in imaginative play, using role play, puppets, sand tray or art materials, children can symbolically act out their inner thoughts and feelings that may be challenging to express verbally. This process helps children regulate their emotions and develop healthier coping strategies.
2: Improved Communication and Social Skills:
Play therapy helps children enhance their communication and social skills. By engaging in Play Therapy sessions with a trained Play Therapist, children learn to articulate their thoughts, needs, and desires more effectively. They also have the opportunity to practice social interactions, such as sharing, taking turns, and problem-solving, which can improve their relationships with peers and adults.
3. Behavioural and Emotional Regulation:
Play therapy offers a space for children to explore and understand their emotions and behaviours. By engaging in play, they can learn how to self-regulate and develop appropriate coping strategies to manage challenging situations. This newfound emotional regulation often leads to a decrease in problematic behaviours
4. Strengthening Problem-Solving Skills:
Through play therapy, children develop problem-solving skills that can be applied to various life situations. During play sessions, they encounter challenges, make decisions, and explore different solutions, promoting critical thinking and creative problem-solving abilities. These skills transfer to real-life scenarios, empowering children to overcome difficulties and make positive choices.
5: Healing from Trauma or Loss:
Play therapy offers a gentle and sensitive approach to help children heal from traumatic experiences or cope with significant losses. Through play, children can revisit and reenact distressing events at their own pace, allowing them to process and make sense of what has happened. This process facilitates emotional healing, promoting resilience and growth.
6: Increased Self-Esteem and Self-awareness:
Play therapy fosters a sense of empowerment and promotes self-esteem in children. Through the therapeutic play process, children can develop a better understanding of their strengths and challenges. They gain confidence as they discover new ways of coping with difficulties and achieve positive outcomes, which translates into improved self-esteem and a stronger sense of self.
7: Parent-Child Bonding and Support:
Play therapy often supports parents or caregivers, who are encouraged to attend separate parent support sessions when needed. This approach strengthens the parent-child bond, enhances understanding between families, and equips parents with tools to support their child’s emotional wellbeing outside of therapy sessions.
In conclusion, play therapy provides a dynamic and effective approach to support children's emotional, behavioral, and social development. Through play, children can express their emotions, heal from trauma or loss, improve communication and social skills, boost self-esteem, regulate their behaviour and emotions, strengthen problem-solving skills, and foster parent-child bonding. IPTCA recognises the immense value of play therapy in promoting the holistic well-being of children.
The Neuroscience Behind Play Therapy
Play therapy has long been recognized as a valuable therapeutic approach for children experiencing emotional, social, or behavioral challenges. While the effectiveness of play therapy has been widely acknowledged, understanding the neuroscience behind this therapeutic modality can offer us a deeper insight into why it works so well.The human brain is a complex and powerful organ, responsible for our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In the context of play therapy, the brain's response to play and its impact on emotional regulation and healing is of great significance.
1. Neural Plasticity: The brain's ability to change and adapt, known as neural plasticity, is at the core of play therapy's effectiveness. The interactive and engaging nature of play activates various neural pathways and stimulates the release of neurochemicals that promote learning, growth, and emotional regulation. Through play, children are encouraged to explore new experiences, express their emotions, and develop new neural connections that support positive change.
2. Mirror Neurons: Mirror neurons play a crucial role in human interactions and empathy. When children engage in play therapy, their brain's mirror neuron system is activated as they observe and imitate the actions of the therapist or other participants. This process allows them to experience empathy, develop a greater understanding of their emotions, and learn new ways to cope with challenges. By witnessing appropriate responses and receiving validation, children's mirror neurons help them internalize healthier patterns of behavior.
3. Brain Integration: Play therapy promotes brain integration, which refers to the harmonious functioning of different brain regions. The playful and imaginative activities during therapy engage both the logical and creative parts of the brain. This integration enables children to access and express hidden emotions, enhance problem-solving skills, and develop greater self-awareness. As play therapy supports the development of neural connections across brain regions, it leads to better overall brain functioning and emotional well-being.
4. Stress Reduction: Trauma and challenging life experiences can significantly impact a child's brain, leading to increased stress levels and impaired neural functioning. Play therapy provides a safe and structured environment where children can reduce their stress response. Engaging in play encourages the release of endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin, which facilitate relaxation and emotional regulation. This helps to rewire the brain's stress response system, leading to decreased anxiety and improved emotional resilience.
Understanding the neuroscience behind play therapy validates its efficacy and provides a scientific basis for its positive outcomes. By taking advantage of neural plasticity, mirror neurons, brain integration, and stress reduction, play therapy offers a unique and powerful approach to healing and promoting positive change in children's lives. Irish Play Therapy Community Association (IPTCA) recognizes the significance of the neuroscience behind play therapy and continues to support its use as an effective therapeutic intervention.