Description:

Basic child development has major implications for effective play therapy. For each of three age levels, 3-5, 6-9, and 10-12-year-olds, those aspects of development most relevant to play therapy will be described and the specific implications of each for play therapy will be elaborated. Major shifts in language and cognitive abilities in such areas as reasoning, memory, problem-solving and intellectual skills occur across the three age groups. In addition, children’s age specific responses to such events as death, divorce, abuse, illness, family violence and trauma will be examined for their implications in play therapy. Charts specifying the major developments for each age group and their implications for play therapy will be provided.  

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the stages of child development and how it impacts play.
• Explain the therapeutic powers of play and how each stage of development allows for them to work.
• Describe the social, emotional, cognitive and other developmental stages and how to assess.
• Identify some play therapy techniques to help children express themselves through play.