While the term “play therapy” may be common in families who have had a brush with mental health, the concept of engaging in therapy through play may not be quite as familiar for anyone who has not actively engaged in such a practice, or enlisted the help of a child or family therapist. Play therapy is an important therapeutic modality for children who are exhibiting symptoms of mental health conditions or disorders, but play therapy is not the only type of play that can introduce the idea of mental health to children and encourage stronger mental health. Games played at home can have a similar effect on children and their families. Don’t forget that we do have our own series of articles helping kids to talk about mental health issues on the site.
Therapy through play
The value in play therapy is immense. Children are not as readily prepared to discuss their mental health as adults are, or may not even have the language to do so. Play therapy can help bridge any gaps that might exist between a child’s ability to discuss their mental health issues and needs and the ability of a therapist to adequately engage a child’s interest. Play therapy can be used to target specific disorders, but it can also be used to suss out unknown issues parents, educators, or caregivers have brought to the attention of a mental health professional.
Creating a safe space
One of the many ways that games introduce mental health to children is by introducing a safe space. Children are intrigued by and engaged with games, and broaching the subject of mental health in a game setting can help children feel at ease, and lessen the heaviness of the interaction in question. Because mental health can be overwhelming for children and their caregivers (and even some childcare and education professionals), providing a calming and structured environment can be essential.
Speaking children’s language
Games are geared toward children’s developmental stages and communication habits. Unlike standard therapy and other introductory methods for childhood mental health management, games allow children to communicate and be communicated with in a way that is easily digestible and understood. From modifying existing or known games, like Uno, to using mindfulness activities, games allow parents and authority figures to engage with children in a way that seems enjoyable and entertaining, while introducing mental health concepts.
Teaching coping tactics
Games can be used to teach children coping tactics for their mental health concerns and issues. Games can be used to foster healthy habits regarding anxiety and depression, and they can also be used to help children learn how to manage outbursts of emotional and compulsion issues, as might be found in children who have been diagnosed with ADHD or Disruptive Behavior Disorder. Teaching coping tactics through games can also help children who are uninterested in or reticent to develop healthy management skills.
Using play
Though it may seem strange to the uninitiated, play has been identified as an invaluable part of a child’s overall development. Play has now been identified as the primary way in which children are introduced to concepts such as problem solving, social engagement, and interpersonal skills. Encouraging play is, on its own, a powerful tool in helping children develop appropriately and support mental health, but when play is combined with therapy, a truly wonderful result can emerge.
Play therapy is usually associated with a therapy office or mental health professional, but educators and parents can also use play to introduce mental health concepts to young children. These concepts can be introduced as abstract ideas in order to raise awareness and education regarding mental health, but they can also be used to provide children with simple and concrete ways to manage existing symptoms of mental disorders or conditions.
We hope that this has been helpful to you – do check out some of the other articles on the site around mental health and education.
Education and mental health articles on KiddyCharts
Here are more thoughts on education and mental health from the KiddyCharts archives. We hope you find these useful too.
3 ways to discuss mental health in childhood education
Let's take a look at how we can introduce mental health activities in education to help our kids.
Activities to help your kids with their emotions
If you need more ideas to help your kids deal with their emotions then these posts are worth checking out and trying out.
Educational resources for children to use at home
Some great ideas for educational activities for homeschoolers, and parents looking to educate and entertain at the same time.
Five tips to keep kids learning with educational screen time
What can we do to help kids to learn through screens rather than thinking all screen time is bad? Let's take a look.
There are other mental health related ideas across the web too.
Education and mental health resources on the internet
Ideas for mental health and education across the internet.
The best teaching methods for your children
Looking at what teaching methods work for kids, and how we can help make them successful.
Understanding Your Child’s Learning Style
What learning style does my child have and how can I support it?
What is the Goal of Preschool? • The Thoughtful Parent
Let's take a look at what the point of preschool actually is for our children, so we can support it just that little bit better.
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Helen
This is a collaborative post.
Helen
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, and website editor; and this site is (we think) the only Social Enterprise parenting magazine!Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, and use those grey cells at the same time.KiddyCharts has reach of over 1.1million across social and the site. The blog works with big family brands (including travel) to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10.It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania.Helen has worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on.Get in touch TODAY!