Sigmund Freud's theory of psychoanalysis was influential in developing talk therapy and the notion that simply discussing problems can help solve mental health issues. Freud believed that childhood experiences and unconscious thoughts, feelings, and motivations play a role in mental illness. His theory divided the mind into the id, ego, and super ego, representing basic instincts, reality, and morality, respectively. Freud emphasized the importance of early childhood experiences in developing one's unconscious mind and emotional well-being as an adult. Practitioners can support children's emotional needs through play, creative expression, and introducing counseling professionals.

1. Sigmund Freud
Savvina Ploutarchou

2. Play as therapy
• One of Freud's greatest contributions to psychology was talk therapy, the
notion that simply talking about our problems can help solve them.
Psychoanalytic therapist generally spend time listening to patients talk
about their lives, they believed this method was positive as this method is
often referred to as “the talking cure”
• The therapy provider will look for patterns or significant events that may
play a role in the client's current difficulties. Psychoanalysts believe that
childhood events and unconscious feelings, thoughts, and motivations
play a role in mental illness and maladaptive behaviours

3. Sigmund Freud theory
His theory of psychoanalysis is important as he encouraged society to change the way that
emotional development is viewed and to make people aware that everyone has an uncurious
mind. Freud focused on the unconscious mind. The unconscious mind is the feelings and
thoughts we have that we are not always aware of but influence our behaviour.
He also influenced the development of counselling and therapy, which often part of the way
that some children's emotional needs are supported in many settings today.
Freud emphasised the importance of early experience. Like Piaget, he saw development in
stages but the focus of his theory was the role of our unconscious. He believed that our
unconscious mind is divided in three parts which are
The id which is a part of our personality and is something we are all born with. It responds to
the basic needs of our bodies without taking into account how this may Impact others. For
example if a baby cries in the middle of the night as the baby needs to be fed they will do this
for their needs to be met.
The ego is the next step to develop, this is the first few months of a child life. It helps children
to work out that there are some effective ways for their needs to be met. For example
screaming if they need a drink.
The super ego part of the personality develops later in childhood and is what we know as
conscience. This is when guilt will develop because of negative behaviour, or pride and
confidence will then grow as a result of positive behaviour.

4. Sigmund Freud theory in practice
Freud theory help us to understand and be able to meet all children's needs. His
theory helps a child to achieve emotional well-being in adult hood. As a practitioner
you can provide the play opportunities for all children who are experiencing emotional
issues, for example praising and support the children from the practitioner or even
introducing different multi agencies professionals such as a counsellors or a therapist .
Many group settings acknowledge young children's emotional needs through general
free play and providing art materials to encourage creative expression.

5. Biography
• Pound, L. (2006) How Children Learn. London: Practical Pre-School.
• Bruce T, Grenier J, Kamen T, Meggit C. (2008) Children and Young People
Workforce Early learning and child care
• Cherry, K. (2015). What Were Sigmund Freud's Theories of Psychology?.
[online] About.com Education. Available at:
http://psychology.about.com/od/sigmundfreud/a/freudian-theory.htm
(Accessed 16 Jan. 2015)
• Cherry, K. (2015). How Does Psychoanalytic Therapy Work?. [online]
About.com Education. Available at:
http://psychology.about.com/od/pindex/f/psychoanalytic-therapy.htm
[Accessed 16 Jan. 2015].