“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.”
–Plato
Play is essential to human growth, development, learning, and cultivating relationships.
Play is a natural process that:
- Builds trust and mastery
- Fosters learning and acceptable behaviors
- Regulates emotions
- Reduces anxieties
- Promotes creative thinking and problem-solving
- Encourages open communication
- Elevates spirit and self-esteem
Play is our first language. Just as adults use words to communicate, children use play. When playing, we express thoughts and feelings that might otherwise remain hidden.
Play Therapy is a powerful tool for addressing cognitive, behavioral, and emotional challenges. Professionals therapeutically use play to help clients better process their experiences and develop more effective strategies for managing their worlds.
Research suggests Play Therapy is an effective mental health approach regardless of age, gender, or the nature of the problem.
For more information on Play Therapy, visit the website of the Association for Play Therapy, www.a4pt.org
