Helping Children
Many children need support in emotional
literacy. Others have behaviour or mental health problems at some stage that
prevents them from fulfilling their full potential.
Some studies indicate that 20% of
children have some form of psychological problem (Venables (1983); Rutter, Cox
et al (1975); Jeffers & Fitzgerald (1991); Porteous (1991) etc.) and that
70% of these are helped through the use of psychological based therapies such
as play and creative arts. The 1999 British government survey estimated that
10% of children have a mental health problem. It is also essential to realise
that mental health, like physical health, is as much about prevention as cure.
Conditions that
therapeutic play and play therapy can help - a short check list - Do you know a
child who.......?
Indications for
Referral This short article is a very useful guide for parents,
carers and other lay persons who may be worried about a child's emotional
condition and the desirability of referral for play therapy.
The Therapeutic Play Continuum
shows how different applications of play can deal with a spectrum of
children's emotional, behaviour and mental health problems.