Play is a vital and significant aspect of children's life, supporting their educational journeys while providing them with enjoyment. Games and play play a significant role in the social, emotional, language-cognitive, and psychomotor skills of children.
Children express all of their emotions when playing, revealing to us what is going on in their inner worlds. Additionally, through play, children learn how to listen, solve issues, wait, be patient, share, imagine, adapt, communicate with others, and express themselves.
The strength of play therapy stems from the fact that play itself is healing and educational. Children utilise play as a language to express their inner thoughts and feelings. There is a process where children are mainly free, notwithstanding the limitations of play therapy and the playroom.
Through games, toys, and other resources, the therapist gets involved in the kid's world and watches how the child behaves in the playroom, where he struggles, and how he views and interacts with others.
With games and toys, the youngster represents what goes on in his or her inner world, reenacts the issues, and looks for answers. By reflecting the child's emotions, thoughts, behaviours, and contents, the therapist assists the child in finding solutions to the issues that arise in the playroom and teaches him or her how to apply these answers in everyday situations.
To put it another way, play therapy is among the best methods for helping kids overcome psychological issues and become self-sufficient. Another useful strategy for helping kids develop at a pace commensurate with their age is play therapy.
Children ages three to twelve can benefit from play therapy. There is a beginning and an end to play therapy sessions. Typically, 45–50 minute sessions are scheduled once or twice a week. Every toy and piece of equipment in the playroom is unique, significant, and relevant, and they are all arranged in accordance with rules.
In the process, therapists and families collaborate. The therapist can gather information by discussing with the family all of the child's developmental stages as well as potential reasons for the present issues.
The family can receive assistance from the therapist in areas like comprehending and reflecting the child's emotions, establishing boundaries, and educating the family how to respond to the challenges the child faces on a daily basis.
The most widely used approach is probably Child-Centered Play Therapy, followed by Filial Therapy, Psychoanalytic Play Therapy, and Therapy.