Children’s Play Therapy

Play therapy uses children’s natural language of play to explore their internal world and promote adaptive emotional and social growth, as well as prevent or resolve psychological difficulties. It is most effective with preschool through preteen ages, although play therapy can also be used with families or older children. Play therapy builds on the normal communication and learning style of children who use play to express their troubles, work through and better understand their emotions, and learn more adaptive behaviors and coping skills through their interaction with toys. Play therapy also creates safe psychological distance from problems that allows children to express their thoughts and feelings in ways that are appropriate to their developmental level and verbal skills.

Learn more about Play Therapy:

• Why Play in Therapy: Association for Play Therapy (APT)
• How does therapeutic play work?: Play Therapy International