School counselors play key roles in recognizing and addressing students' social-emotional and academic needs and providing short-term counseling and crisis interventions focusing on mental health concerns. Research shows that play therapy is a developmentally responsive intervention for school-aged children (Ray et al., 2014). Many school…

The commercial sexual exploitation of children is a growing concern around the world. Education about this concern is a key component to preventing further occurrences. The Committee for Children found few educational models in U.S. schools. School counselors play a significant role in preventing, identifying, and connecting students to community…

In 1998, Sturrock and Else introduced the Play Cycle which has been integrated into both playwork theory and practice. An online survey with 157 responses found that playworkers' understanding Play Cycle varied to how they were first introduced to the theory. In addition, understandings of the six elements of the Play Cycle were significantly…

Understanding the developmental stages of children is crucial for coaches. Equally important is the way adults communicate with children. In his seminal work describing the influence of society and social interactions on the psychosocial development of children, Erikson (1950, 1963) described the developmental crises faced by children at each…

Discusses the components of rough and tumble play, analyzing three play sequences with a brief summary of the metacommunication taking place in child behavior. (RB)

A sandplay technique is explained to have helped learning and reading disabled students get in touch with their feelings as well as to have improved their reading skills. (CL)

This discussion outlines the techniques used in play therapy. Play therapy helps children to express verbally their innermost concerns, thus offering the counselor a way of understanding and helping the child who may have emotional or learning problems. (JC)

An experimental, intervention group of 4 children with moderate mental retardation received 10 therapy sessions focused on symbolic play development. Compared to a nonintervention group, the experimental children, aged 5-10, demonstrated increased amounts of symbolic play as well as higher levels of symbolism in their play behavior. (Author/JDD)

Describes sand play as singular, emotional form of individualized expression of inter- and intrapsychic world of the child. Sees miniatures in sand providing bridge between counselor's observations and child. Describes method of sand play, delineates counselor's role and counseling process, discusses interpretation, and reviews stages in sand…

Presents Adlerian play therapy as workable tool for school counselors. Contends that school counselors can use Adlerian therapy to build relationships with children; explore how children view themselves, others, and the world; help children understand how they gain significance in their families and school; and help children explore new ways of…

Reviews five major developments in play therapy: psychoanalysis, release therapy, relationship therapy, nondirective therapy, and play therapy in school settings. Suggests ways school counselors can use play therapy. Describes play therapy facilities, location selection, and play materials. Lists objectives of play therapy and how teachers can aid…

Describes the use of sand play for counseling children. Reviews the development of using sand play to help disturbed children resolve traumas by externalizing fantasies and developing a sense of mastery and control over inner impulses. Illustrates the stages of chaos, struggle (organized fighting), and resolution. (ABB)

Results of this study indicate that the groups of children who were engaged in play media counseling showed a greater positive change in social position than did those in the verbal group counseling sessions. When the scores of the counseled group were compared with the control group, a significant difference in favor of the counseled was…

Two brief articles discuss: (1) Three group counseling approaches; and (2) A comparison of empathy in master's degree and lay counselors. (CJ)

Notes that elementary school counselors use play as therapeutic tool to meet broad range of developmental needs of children. Contends that, when used in context of nondirective, child-centered relationship, plat offers younger and less verbal child opportunity to resolve issues that may interfere with emotional and social development and academic…