Examples
Provide an example of something you would say to show you are alert and responsive to what the child is doing.
-you decided to play with that toy now
-you're putting the ____ in the sand now
-you're wondering what to play with next
A child utilizes the kitchen to cook and prepare food for the therapist and a baby doll, then encourages the therapist to eat. What theme is this?
Aggression / Nurturing / Mastery / Power and Control
Nurturing
A child is exploring the toys in the room and asks you "what do you want to play with?" Provide a reflection?
In here, it is up to you to decide what to play with.
You are meeting a child for the first time. After making introductions, it is time for you and the child to go back to the playroom, what do you say?
"I've got lots of toys in my room. Let's go see the toys."
What does the child experience when we use reflective responses? (Ex. You're stacking blocks into a tower.)
The child experiences the following:
You are interested in me. You are aware of the things I'm doing and you accept them.
You are present and interested in me!
Provide an example of limit setting
-I'm not for hitting, you can hit the bop bag instead
-the table is not for painting, you can paint the paper instead
-sand is for staying in the sand box
A child creates a large circle of various animals all facing towards the middle. The child then chooses two animals at a time to go to the middle and angrily smashes them together and creates a fight scene. What theme is this?
Aggression/ Nurturing / Mastery / Power and Control
Aggression
You and a child are playing candy land, and the child is cheating in the game. Provide a reflection?
-winning is really important to you
-you really don't like to lose
A child comes toward you with the plastic knife and raises it to strike you with it. What do you say?
"I'm not for hitting, you can hit the punching bag"
How do you know when a student is showing you a particular theme of play?
When they repeat the same play during multiple play sessions. When the student displays great intensity to that particular play.
Provide an example of giving the child choices when they want to run back to class.
-You can play Follow the Leader with me or hold my hand back to class.
A child handcuffs the therapist, points a fake gun at them, and tells them to get in jail. What theme is this?
Aggression / Nurturing / Mastery / Power and Control
Power and Control
A child is playing basketball, and makes several attempts to make a basket, but fails multiple times. Provide a reflection.
-you are trying really hard
-you're determined to make a basket
After making art work, a child shows you their artwork and asks you “do you like it?” What is your response?
-it is important to you that I like your artwork
-how do you feel about your art
-tell me more about your art
-I see you added this up here, and this over there (describe the art)
What do you do if the student does not include you in their play?
-respect their boundaries and do not insert yourself in their play
-continue to move about the room with them and verbally reflect what you observe them playing
Give an example of a scenario when you allow a child to work out their own problem.
-always allow and support the child to work out their own problem.
Examples: you let them figure out how to build the Marble Maze game; you let them bandage up your hurt arm; you let them hammer nails even when they are going in crooked
A child spends several minutes engaging in the cash register, pressing several buttons, and opening and closing the drawer multiple times. What theme is this?
Aggression / Nurturing / Mastery / Power and Control
Mastery
A child is feeding, clothing, and taking care of a baby doll. Provide a reflection
-You are taking really good care of the baby. I wonder who takes care of you at home.
A child spends several minutes attempting to find a missing piece to a toy, and does not succeed. The child becomes frustrated and paces the room, their fists are balled up, and their breathing is irregular. What do you do and say?
Get down on their level, hold their hands if comfortable, and deep breathe together. Once they are regulated, reflect their feelings
-you were feeling frustrated
-now you are calm again
-deep breathes helped you feel calm again
What should be included in your notes?
Play themes, patterns of play, and significant verbalizations.
If a child is struggling with something in the playroom (struggling to open a playdough lid, put together the floor puzzle, etc.) do you help them? What do you say?
No you do not help them unless they reach frustration. Offer encouragement ("you're thinking about how to do that" "you're not feeling ready to tackle that yet".
-You can say “if you need help, you can ask me” and then if they ask for help you can say “thank you for asking for help when you needed it"
________ therapy is a form of play therapy that allows children the sensory experience of manipulating figures to create a subjective world.
Sandplay
A seven year old female is hitting the wood with a hammer over and over again. Provide a reflection.
-you feel so powerful
-you're showing me how strong you are
_____ serves as a developmentally appropriate means of communication for children?
Play
Other than the student, what is the most important thing in the playroom? Why?
You!
Nothing is more powerful and healing than you and the relationship you form with the student.