Play is essential for the total development of both children and adults. It provides time and space for thinking, feeling, and exploring without consequences, which promotes learning, problem-solving, creativity and stress relief. Developmental psychologists emphasize that play allows children to make sense of their experiences and deal with strong emotions in a natural and self-healing way. It gives a sense of power, competence and mattering that counteracts feelings of helplessness. Play therapy examples show how children can work through life challenges through symbolic play.

1. The Healing Power of Play for Children and Adults Dr. Ma. Lourdes A. Carandang, Ph.D.

2. It is a spontaneous and active process in which thinking, feeling and doing can flourish. (No disastrous consequences) What is PLAY?

3. To put it in the simplest terms - “ PLAY is the TIME and SPACE to BE.”

5. Playing gives the glorious sensation of autonomy, of freedom. It is deeply satisfying. As it is with adults, so it is with children.

6. Play is not just important. It is ESSENTIAL for the child’s (and adults!) total TOTAL DEVELOPMENT - (intellectual, physical, social, moral, spiritual, and emotional)

7. From the developmental psychologists: Piaget - “Play is children’s means of making sense of their experience in order to make it part of themselves.” (assimilation vs. accommodation - to fit in and conform to the demands of reality)

8. Bruner - “ Play under the control of the player gives to the child his first and the MOST CRUCIAL opportunity to have the courage to think, to talk, and perhaps even to BE.”

9. Erikson, E. - “ making sense of the world is an enormous task for young children. They are constantly at risk of being overwhelmed by events and feelings. (adults too.) Play remains an INDISPENSABLE HARBOR for the overhauling of shattered emotions after periods of rough going in the social seas.” TO PLAY IT OUT is the MOST NATURAL SELF-HEALING method childhood affords.

10. MLAC - “ Most important of all, PLAY gives the child a sense of POWER over his/her environment.” “ Play is an antidote to helplessness and depression because it is empowering.”

11. Examples of PLAY Therapy (Play as healing) Teddy, 6 - crocodile, self-confidence Rita, 8 - mother and child turtles Rene, 9 - father left for Saudi Rico, 10 - political detainee Aldrin, 8 - Spiderman Joel, 10 - killer quake disaster - DAPR