Our Services
At Little Explorers Play Therapy, our holistic approach allows for an individualised service for each child. We are trained in a range of evidence-based models of Play Therapy and can combine these frameworks to cater to each child we meet.
Learn to Play Therapy
Supporting a child's pretend play ability and building on these skills for their development. For children aged 2-8 years.
Learn to Play- 1:1 Program
Aims is to build the spontaneous, pretend play ability of children. Not all children development pretend play without additional support. Pretend Play, the most complex and mature form of play, as a child is placing meaning on what and how they are playing.
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Learn to Play Therapy is primarily focused children who are experiencing difficulty with their language, solo or social play and relationships.
Learn to Play focuses on the development of these key play skills ;
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Building a child's spontaneous pretend play ability allows them to participate in play with their peers, neighbours, and their family and siblings in a positive and confident way.
A child's ability to start their play
Sequencing play actions logically
Using objects as something else (object substitution or symbols in play)
Engaging with a doll or teddy character outside of themselves
Integrating their play so a clear play script is evident
Using role- play (being a character themselves)
Socially interacting using play
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For more information on Learn to Play, please visit www.learntoplayevents.com
Research tells us that pretend play is important for children in developing problem solving, flexible thinking, and logical sequences in their thoughts. When children learn how to play, they begin to understand the world around them more deeply.
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Learn to Play Therapy is often suitable for children who experience difficulties with:
Developing friendships with peers
Self-Regulation
Building Confidence
Unable to play on their own
Imagination or pretend play
Inflexible behaviours
Social environments
Humanistic Play Therapy
A child-led, non-directive intervention to support a child's opportunity for self-expression. For children approximately 3 - 13 years of age.
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Humanistic Play Therapy - 1:1 program
Humanistic Play Therapy is a non-directive form of Play Therapy that is founded on the belief that the child leads the way, to express life experiences and feelings in a safe way with the play therapist. In play therapy, children have the opportunity to express these internal and external thoughts through a child's language of toys, art and play that form their words.
Play therapy has been proven to show significant improvement in diverse areas of self-concept, self-esteem, social skills and anxiety in children. It has also been shown to increase a child’s confidence as well as their learning. The play therapist provides a safe and consistent environment and play space to be able to develop a trusting relationship with the child to promote growth and healing.
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While working in the playroom, there are a number of Therapeutic Powers of Play which enables change to occur. Some of these include:
- Self-regulation
- Stress-management
- Self-expression
- Creative Problem Solving
- Attachment relationships
- Positive Emotions
- Self-esteem
Humanistic play therapy supports children primarily between the ages of 3 – 13 years old experiencing a variety of life experiences or changes in their life, including:
- Anxiety symptoms
- Diagnosis of a disability, special need or chronic illness
- A sibling or child of a person with a disability or illness
- Separation, divorce or split family
- Bereavement/loss
- History of family violence and/or neglect
- Emotional dysregulation e.g. anger, low self esteem
- Foster child or adopted child
Whenever a child comes to play therapy, the playroom will always be set up in the same way, this is done to ensure consistency of the play therapy environment which allows children to have an understanding of what to expect of the play therapy and the environment each week. Having consistency will provide a safe and predicable environment which provides the best opportunity for children to work through a range of emotions freely.
Filial Play Therapy
For families to support their relationships and communication.
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Filial Therapy - Family program
Filial Therapy is a type of play and family therapy that aims to include the full immediate family as part of the therapeutic process. In these sessions the child will lead the play, while the parens and therapists are present and follow the lead the child has set.
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The aim of filial therapy is for parents to become the primary agent of 'therapeutic change' for their child and to understand their child's feelings through what they are communicating through their play.
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This approach seeks to harness the therapeutic power of play to empower children, parents and the family as whole to, in support stronger and more cohesive relationships.
Filial Therapy is a means of strengthening the child-parent relationship, where children have the opportunity to be heard while parents are better able to understand their thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
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This model of Play Therapy helps parents to see the world through the eyes of their children which will often allow them to feel more confident in their parenting ability and feel less frustrated with their children. In turn this promotes positive interactions, attachment and communication independently.
Evidence shows that filial therapy is effective in maintaining change in various cultures and family structures, to prevent further difficulties for the family or child in the future, expanding across their lifespan. Evidence also shows that filial therapy has a greater overall effect being completed with a parent/carer, rather than a professional.
Additionally, parental benefits have been identified; an increase in empathy, acceptance, perception of changes in the family environment, the child’s overall behaviour and play behaviour. This assists the improvement of a child’s social, emotional and behavioural development, to receive their parents undivided attention and acceptance, to develop their relationship.
