Do You Want to Build a Snowman?
Kids love that song. Playing is how children connect to others and how they process internal thoughts and emotions.
When a child plays, they are opening their mind, so they can observe their mind – and they are allowing you to see them. To play with a child is to have access to the thoughts and emotions that shape their budding sense of self and world. When something connects on a deep, non-verbal level, kids love it and often want to experience it over again
But if all you do is play, how will you know it’s working?
We often want concrete results, and we think strict discipline and punishment are needed to “correct” a child.
Children are complete people. Their skills for thinking and managing emotions may be developing, but they are equal people. I use behavioral techniques involving rewards and self-monitoring when and as fits the needs of a child.
I believe it is important to join the child’s world, so that means play and art are the medium into which more structured kinds of therapy interventions can be introduced. Like any form of therapy, we know it is working when the identified goals are met.
An example of integration
Many years ago, I worked with a child who was 5. She was developing OCD rituals. We used a common treatment which is very structured and has good success.
My methods of therapy are always client-centered and collaborative; with kids, that means allowing them to collaborate and play. As we worked with the structured protocol, we also played together.
This child decided that a stuffed rabbit “Baby Bunny” also had OCD. Each step we went through for her, she did with the rabbit. She also responded to the rabbit in ways that let me see how she was feeling about herself and through the rabbit’s voice she shared her thoughts more freely.
This behavioral-based treatment calls for creating a certificate for the child when they complete the sessions and OCD behaviors no longer impact their and their families lives. So, of course, Baby Bunny needed a certificate, too, which she gave to Baby Bunny as if she had been the rabbit’s therapist.
Play and Art are important for all of us.
I believe play and art are important for all of us as ways to understand and express ourselves. For children, using words can be hard; but they can show us what they think and feel through art and play.
If you think your child is distressed by their extreme emotions, disobedience, problem conduct at school, or difficulty sleeping or making friends, call.
Let’s talk about ways we can help your child and you.