Have you ever sat and watched a child play? They make dinner in their tiny kitchens. They will talk on their pretend phones to people in their life or imaginary friends. They babble to their stuffed animals. Children are exploring their new world and mimicking the actions they see around them through play. This is how children experience their world.

When the world is a scary place or a child is having new emotions that they don’t know how to communicate, play is their way of expressing what they are going through. It is also a tool that counselors can use to help children process whatever it is they are experiencing.

Using traditional talk therapy with children would be difficult to say the least. They get easily distracted. They like to tell stories that may or may not have a beginning, middle, and end. They also are experiencing a brand-new world and aren’t completely sure how to verbalize many of their experiences and feelings. This is where play can help when working with a child in therapy. Play is a child’s first language. They feel comfortable among the toys and can use them to act out or illustrate emotions and situations that the child has experienced. Children can tell us a lot more about their lives through play than they could through talking.

Play therapy can look different depending on the child’s needs and interests. A doll house could be used to illustrate how the child’s life looks day-to-day or a new change in the child’s routine. A board game can be used to teach patience, coping skills, and self-confidence. A sand tray or fidget toys can be used to help regulate the child’s emotions while discussing difficult topics.

No matter what specific technique or activity is used, using play in therapy allows the child to express themselves through a means in which they are comfortable. Engaging in play with the child will open you up to their world and will allow you to see the world through their eyes.

Play in Therapy