Six ways to maximize the use of play to help kids overcome trauma and stress

1. The therapist establishes rapport or a warm and caring relationship with the child by tuning in to his or her present emotional state.

2. The therapist respects the child?s pace and does not hurry him/her up. Sinasabayan niya ang bata, hindi inuunahan.

3. The therapist unconditionally accepts and validates the child?s feelings. Doing so makes children know that they have a right to their feelings.

4. The therapist has a basic and genuine respect for the child?s innate wisdom and ability to heal herself/himself when given opportunities.

5. The therapist sets clear and firm limits to help the child feel a sense of clarity and safety. The child knows that he/she is free to express his/her feelings but hurting another or oneself is not allowed. This makes the child feel physically and psychologically safe.

6. The therapist gives the child permission for free expression of feelings in different ways or languages the child uses to communicate, such as: games, clay, story telling, music, art. Expressive therapies are used as the language, but the six principles of child-directed play therapy cited above are the basic guides.

(Excerpted from ?The Magic of Play?)