Play Therapy

  1. Professionals who utilize play must help children do what?
    • accept child as is
    • have respect for their weaknesses
    • possess a sensitivity to child's feelings
  2. How do children see adults?
    As someone who has too many "important" things to do that must be done now and in a hurry
  3. What are some personality characteristics that you need to work with young children in therapeutic play situations?
    • intentionality- by attitudes and motivations and behaviors
    • objective- allow child to be a separate person
    • flexible
    • unwillingness to judge or evaluate
    • open-minded
    • tolerance for ambiguity
    • future-minded- doesn't refer to past
    • willing to follow- child is no longer at a previous level, so go from where he is
    • personal courage
    • patience
    • real, warm, sensitive, caring
    • personally secure
    • sense of humor
  4. What are some things we should consider when trying to understand the parent's perspective?
    • they may say inappropriate things to get the kids do to things
    • may manipulate or bribe
    • may feel embarrassed by their children's behavior
    • may not understand their child's reluctancy
    • may want to demonstrate their power and may compliment to make them look good
  5. What are some strategies we can use to prepare parents for separation?
    • discuss services before hand and what steps
    • reassure them that it is normal
    • encourage parents to allow you to lead the transition
    • give examples of things to say
    • explain that you'll give time to answer their questions
    • make sure they know that whey you are involved in play that your focus is on the child
  6. What are some reasons for not saying "bye"?
    • communicates that they may be gone for a long time
    • not down the hall, but out shopping
    • there is a security in knowing they are just down the hall
  7. How should we describe mastery play to parents so they can understand it and accept it?
    • it is a time for them to communicate or play out how they feel to someone who understands
    • they learn to express their feelings in constructive ways
    • it is confidential
    • show them the playroom
  8. What are the objectives of the therapeutic relationship?
    • establish atmosphere of safety
    • understand and accept the child's world
    • encourage the expression of the child's emotional world
    • est. a feeling of permissiveness
    • facilitate decision making by the child
    • provide child with opportunity to assume responsibility and control
  9. What are three things children are wondering?
    • Am I safe?
    • Can I cope?
    • Will I be accepted?
  10. Where should you position yourself in a playroom?
    therapist's chair is the only neutral place in the playroom
  11. How should you position your body?
    • turn your body to communicate real interest
    • do not keep your body stationary
    • toes should point toward the child
    • lean forward and enter the child's play
    • use voice and interest to follow them
  12. What is the appropriate response when a child asks "What is this?"
    "That can be whatever you want it to be."
  13. What is the appropriate response when a child asks "Who broke this?"
    "Sometimes accidents happen in here"
  14. Why shouldn't you take notes during play sessions?
    • distract your eyes from child
    • shows interest in something other than them
    • children notice and may act out or feel judged
    • makes them nervous
  15. What are the dimensions of the relationship between the child and therapist?
    • I am here.
    • I hear you.
    • I understand.
    • I care.
  16. **Characteristics of play room: Hospital
    Size:
    • big enough to handle large group of children and equipment
    • not too big that it is overwhelming
  17. Characteristics of play room: Hospital
    Location
    • visible
    • easily accessed
  18. Characteristics of play room: Hospital
    Special considerations
    • medical equipment
    • movable furniture
    • adapted materials (motor, mental delays, bulky paint brushes, special scissors, etc)
  19. Characteristics of play room: Therapeutic
    Size
    • approximately 12ft x 15ft
    • 150-200 sq ft

    if it is too big, the kid feels chased and that puts the therapist in control
  20. Characteristics of play room: Therapeutic
    Location
    • secluded
    • complete isolation is ideal, but rarely possible
  21. Characteristics of play room: Therapeutic
    Special considerations
    • keep toys and materials in the same place every time
    • remove broken toys
    • not to be used as a babysitting room
  22. When selecting toys and materials, what is the rule of thumb?
    "Toys and materials should be selected, not collected."
  23. Guidelines for selecting toys in a play therapy program are:
    • expressive
    • interesting
    • not overly specific
    • no mechanical toys
    • competitive games are not helpful
  24. Guidelines for selecting toys in a hospital playroom are:
    • goal is a sense of normalcy
    • familiar toys, but not too specific
    • competitive games are ok for children over 6 years
    • everything must be cleanable!!!
  25. What are the three categories of toys?
    • Real life toys
    • ex. doll house, puppets, gumby dolls, cars, etc
    • Acting out, aggressive-release toys
    • ex. guns, tearable materials, hammers, etc
    • Toys for creative expression and emotional release
    • ex. sand, water, blocks, paints, shaving cream
  26. Real life toys are used for:
    • representing family members in child's life and provides direct expression of feelings
    • anger, fear, sibling rivalry can be acted out in scenes
  27. Acting out agressive release toys are used for:
    • express anger, frustration
    • permission to release anger and aggression
  28. Toys for creative expression and emotional release are used for:
    • unstructured play
    • feelings of satisfaction because there is no correct way to play
    • opportunity to be creative and messy
  29. What are portable playrooms used for?
    • provide children with toys that can stimulate them when they are away from the therapy
    • gives them fewer toys if over stimulated
    • distraction
  30. Are competitive games a good idea?
    • Therapeutic- no, kids can tell when you let them win and it can put the therapist in control and threaten the abilities of the child
    • Hospital- yes, if above age 6. As long as it is friendly and fair.
Author
awilli10
ID
8910
Card Set
Play Therapy
Description
FCS 378
Updated