One need only to observe the physical response of a child to realize that, when happy, he is happy all over.
Virginia M. Axline, Play Therapy
Play Therapy is defined by APT as “the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained Play Therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development."
Each time I have a child in my office and interact with her/his family or caregivers I ask myself how I can help make it possible that he/she reaches her/his own potential and optimal growth.The answers always came from their own inner-self expressed through the play. Thus, my task is to allow each child through play to find their own strengths, to heal, and to help build the foundation that will let her/him to flourish as a human being.
The following 7 Building Blocks of Development give us a road map for working with children.
Seven Building Blocks of Development (D. Hirschland, 2008
- Feeling safely and warmly connected—the building block that supports them all: experiencing trust, interest, and pleasure in relationships
- Tuning in---being able to harness and sustain attention, to focus on people, ideas, requests, and expectations.
- Communicating effectively---understanding others and making others understand both verbally and non verbally.
- Regulating energy---bring able to shift from one energy level to another; having capacity to slow down and stay calm for periods of time.
- Regulating feelings---managing small difficulties without large reactions; being able to regain composure after getting upset; maintaining self-control in the face of frustration.
- Changing tracks and being flexible---being able to adapt reasonably to change; knowing how to share space and ideas; having the ability to end one activity when it’s time to begin another.
- Feeling capable and confident---the building block that follows from the rest: having a sense of resourcefulness, competence and optimism.