When I was a child, one of my favorite activities was playing outside with my neighbors. Playing is when I was my most energetic and joyous self. While play can be a very fun experience, it is not unintentional. In fact, the act of play enhances brain function and promotes executive functioning (including aspects such as working memory, flexible thinking and self-control), which allows us to pursue goals. 

Not just playin’ around

From hopscotch to hide and go seek, various types of play can enhance a child's cognitive development, physical well-being, and overall quality of life in significant ways. Studies have shown that engaging in play can enhance a child’s capacity for planning, organizing, socializing, and emotional regulation. Furthermore, play also contributes to the development of language, math, and social abilities, and also assists children in managing stress. Here are some examples of play and the individual benefits:

• Toys and object play: Through the use of their sensory-motor abilities, children can explore the properties of objects and engage in "experiments." For example, in order to determine if an object is solid, they may choose to bang it on the floor. In addition, preschool-aged children utilize objects to  increase abstract thinking and understand concepts, like symbolism. Through these interactions, they also learn important social skills such as sharing and taking turns.

• Physical Play: Engaging in activities, like unstructured play during recess, aids in the enhancement of children's motor abilities and fosters emotional intelligence. For instance, the excitement of going down a slide on the playground allows a child to boost their self-assurance by taking calculated risks in a secure setting. Additionally, organized sports offer a chance to cultivate teamwork skills.

• Pretend Play: This form of play enables young children to explore various social roles and fosters their ability to collaborate. Engaging in dress-up, imaginative scenarios, and pretend play promotes creativity while enhancing their negotiation, communication, and language skills in a more sophisticated manner.

How clinicians use play in counseling

Within the children and adolescent counseling world, clinicians refer to play therapy as a form of psychotherapy used with children in order to work through issues, such as big emotions. The clinician guides the child through play therapy in a safe and comfortable environment with activities such as board games, sand trays, card games, dolls and legos. During the session, the clinician will select indirect or direct play, depending on which option is most clinically appropriate, while observing the child’s interactions and modeling appropriate socio-emotional skills. 

Many individuals tend to overlook the significance of play therapy and the advantages it offers. Parents who are concerned about their children's well-being frequently struggle to comprehend the benefits derived from what may seem like mere play. However, the fact is that with or without the guidance of a therapist, children like to communicate through play, whether you might have noticed it or not. Here are some of the many benefits of play therapy:

• Play therapy provides children who struggle with verbal communication the opportunity to express themselves through various play activities. For example, a child who is reluctant to speak may choose to convey their thoughts or needs through drawing or painting

• Creates a safe space where a child feels comfortable being themselves to encourage engagement

• It helps children better understand and manage big emotions 

• Play therapy offers the child a sense of control. It enables them to engage with toys and tools that they feel most at ease with, and progress at their own speed.

Playing not only enhances a child's well-being and growth, but also fosters the creation of secure, supportive, and caring connections. The Mental Wellness center has a team of experienced child and adolescent clinicians ready to foster your child’s play therapy journey! Click the button below to get started.