Play is Magical

In an increasingly stressful and demanding world, young children may struggle with feelings and behaviors that interfere with their day-to-day development.  Anxiety, frustration, depression, and aggression which manifest in inappropriate and maladaptive behaviors can be addressed through encouraging the child to use the therapeutic powers of play to prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development.  Child-centered play therapy aims to improve self-esteem and the feelings underlying inappropriate behaviors.  Developing a more positive self-concept and becoming more self-directing, self-accepting, and self-reliant results in a sense of self-control and trust.  Maladaptive behaviors become unnecessary and disappear into thin air.

Knowing the child is key.

• Children are not miniature adults.

• Children are people.

• Children are unique and worthy of respect.

• Children are resilient. 

• Children have an inherent tendency toward growth and maturity. 

• Children are capable of positive self-direction. 

• Children’s natural language is play.

• Children have a right to remain silent. 

• Children will take the therapeutic experience to where they need to be. 

• Children’s growth cannot be speeded up.  (Landreth, 2002, p. 50)