Child Development and Emotions in Play Therapy

Family Therapy Reveals How Playing Helps Kids Deal With Stress

© Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Apr 29, 2008
Children's Emotions in Play Therapy, stock xchange clix
Stressed children may exhibit aggressive behavior, bed-wetting, or anxiety. Here's how family and play therapy can help kids cope with negative emotions.

Play therapy can be an effective way to help kids deal with stress. A family counselor or play therapist can enhance child development and encourage the healthy expression of emotions.

Watching children play can be an effective way to gauge their thoughts and emotions. If a child has experienced a traumatic event – whether it’s a divorce, family death, or school shooting – play therapy could open lines of communication and awareness.

Finding effective family therapists for children is difficult because kids may not be comfortable talking about their experiences, emotions, or memories with adults. Even if kids can't express themselves verbally, they still have strong emotions, feelings, and opinions about the events in their lives.

Here’s what new research in child psychology reveals about play therapy...

Child Development and Emotions in Play Therapy

Case Western Reserve University psychologist Sandra Russ studies how play affects child development and child psychotherapy. She is one of the first psychologists to research the link between emotions in play therapy and emotions in memories.

Negative emotions in play are stronger than positive ones, and the emotions in play therapy are related to the emotions in memories. Russ believes that play can help kids deal with daily emotions as well as traumatic events. Further, children’s emotions in play therapy are better expressed and integrated with other memories.

Russ also found that emotions in play therapy are related to creative thinking. That is, the more emotional the play, the more creative the thought processes.

Finding a Child Psychologist or Family Therapist

To find an effective play therapist or child psychologist for play therapy, consult your family doctor or a trusted friend. Many great family therapists are listed in the Yellow Pages or online; make sure you feel comfortable with the child psychologist or counselor before you sign on for play therapy sessions.

Play Therapy at Home

These suggestions may help initiate good discussions and build relationships between anxious kids and parents.

  • Read kids’ books dealing with similar subject matter. Libraries and bookstores have picture books and chapbooks that cover all types of subjects, ranging from bed-wetting to pet loss.
  • Encourage kids to paint their feelings, or make clay figures that represent what they think of a particular issue.
  • Ask children why they drew mom in the background, or why their lost dog Fido is crying. Talk about the motivations behind the drawings.
  • Encourage all family members to discuss the highs and lows of the day at the dinner table. Be honest about your own sad, angry, or anxious feelings.

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The copyright of the article Child Development and Emotions in Play Therapy in Child Psychology is owned by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Permission to republish Child Development and Emotions in Play Therapy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.




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Comments
May 19, 2008 3:08 PM
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :
I wonder if playing helps kids deal with negative emotions, or does it just allow them to express their feelings. What do you think?
Sep 16, 2008 7:43 AM
Guest :
VĂ­ctor :

hi Paula, I started to learn this article, and it's amazing. You're right when you say about solv the negative effects through this kind of therapy, boot, mom's can be yourself therapy with their children and help them about your fears, events traumatics, to be optimism, to know their positive parts of their lives and potencially them.
i'ts was a good article, I hope to read more and more..

greetings! See ya
2 Comments