WHY DO CHILDREN PLAY
Children's vocabulary knowledge is not as rich as adults'. That's why they tell themselves through toys. Play is for children what talking is for adults.
Axline (1995) says that humans have the power to heal themselves. This power within the child is revealed through play. We are not the healers, we are just the means.
WHAT IS A GAME?
The child's self-expression and the way he learns the rules through his own experiences is a bridge between imagination and reality. Expressing the child's inner world and using hidden objects is an area where the child learns social and moral values.
It is the ideal environment that ensures the child's mental, physical and personality development. It is a tool for the child's socialization, it is a tool for the child to adapt, innovation and change are the ideal environment that enables the child's intelligence, body and personality development. It is a tool for the socialization of the child. It is a tool for the child to adapt. Game is an activity that affects the whole personality in general.
Many opinions have been put forward about what a game is or is not. The common point of all these views is that play is the most important occupation for the child.
Play is a method for the child to learn subjects that no one else can teach, through his own experiences (Yavuzer H., 1998)
< According to Piaget, Play is an adaptation. Games are actions that children choose themselves or some students in the group choose and have solid rules.
According to Gross (1896), play is a practice. Adults acquire the behavioral patterns they will encounter in the future through play.
Caillois (1958) Play is different from real life, involving feelings of tension and fun maintained within a certain area and time according to freely accepted but binding rules. It is a voluntary movement or activity done with awareness.
Game is an activity that has an important place in the lives of people of all ages. Play, which means having fun, relaxing and a free time activity for adults, is a tool for the child to get to know and understand the world he lives in and the people around him. In general terms, game is a game aimed at a certain purpose or It is a part of real life, which is the basis of physical, cognitive, language, emotional and social development, and is the most effective learning process for the child, which can be carried out with or without rules, but in any case, the child participates willingly and enjoys it.
IMPORTANCE OF GAME
Game is an educational tool; It allows the child to dream. It creates an environment for people to feel independent and free. It creates a game world where self-control, respect, honesty and responsibility can be developed, and at the same time, the game teaches the rules within itself.
Game is an important factor for healthy development; It provides physiological development, strengthens reflexes, develops strength, agility and endurance skills and regulates the respiratory and circulatory system.
Play is an activity that makes the best use of free time; It provides the child with the opportunity to move freely, gives excitement, joy, liveliness and fun moments, and eliminates differences. (such as rich, poor, young, old, weak, fat)
When it comes to children, the first thing that comes to mind is play. Children get to know the world through play. Sometimes they use some materials for play. Objects, people, events, nature, structures, vehicles, animals, roads in the environment can be play, learning and entertainment materials for the child. Therefore, it is very important for the parents to play, be a part of the game or be able to mediate the game. Play is an activity that both meets the child's needs and allows parents to get to know and follow the child closely. It is important that the child is free to express himself freely and not be judged while playing games. A game or toy that seems more childish or babyish to us may meet an important need of our child. Being able to play games is not always easy for parents. Some people may not have such a tendency, but in such a case, it is important to distinguish between the games you enjoy and the games you do not enjoy. For example, while the mother can play house more enjoyable, the father can accompany the child in ball and garden games. Because games played without enjoyment will cause children to become bored and dissatisfied with the game. For this reason, every parent should make an effort to be prone to playing games. attached. It is also important to observe the child in the game and create an environment for him to express his feelings. Especially in preschool ages, dramatization games such as housekeeping and puppets are very important for children to reflect their inner world.
Researchers who study games accept that the best way to understand the child's feelings, thoughts and development levels is to observe him/her during the game. The types of games the child plays, the roles he takes in the game, and the behaviors he exhibits while fulfilling these roles all give new clues about getting to know him. The child, who has the opportunity to express his feelings and thoughts through play, often gives us useful clues about how we can solve his problem during the game.
WHAT IS PLAY THERAPY
Play therapy is for children what counseling is for adults. Play therapy helps children express themselves by placing or using toys instead of words. Play therapy is a form of developmental therapy that aims to help children live harmoniously and happily. Play therapy is based on the child being in a natural environment so that he can express himself through play. By using games and toys, children are helped to communicate, solve their problems and change their negative behaviors. It is a special process that focuses on children's need to express themselves using games and toys. They are encouraged to play the way they want with trained play therapy that provides them with a safe environment. During this process, children are offered many different types of toys to help them express their emotional problems. Opportunities are created for children to express themselves through games involving art, drama and fantasy.
WHY PLAY THERAPY
Children love to play games. They have not developed the skills and understanding of their emotions as adults. Therefore, play has a healing feature as it provides children with the opportunity to express their experiences and feelings. In their games, children can portray emotions such as anger, sadness, fear or disappointment that affect their behavior in a safe environment provided by the therapist. Play therapy, children's emotions and thoughts It helps them express their feelings and develop their mental and physical thoughts. Play is the best method for children who have difficulty adapting to the conditions of life. Children express themselves more fluently through play, and play therapy offers them the environment in which they can express themselves most comfortably.
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHEN A CHILD NEEDS PLAY THERAPY
Children may experience changes in their lives, difficult times experienced by their parents, and some children in families who have difficulty managing this process may need more support than others during these periods. Play therapy can be helpful if the child's parent, teacher, or another adult needs support about the child.
CHILD-CENTERED PLAY THERAPY
Rogers summarized the therapy as follows, This outcome is aimed directly, rather than hoping that results such as greater independence and integration of the individual will occur by helping to solve the problem. The main focus is not on the problem but on the individual. The goal is not to solve a specific problem but to help the individual grow so that the individual can cope with the current problem and cope better with future problems.
If successful in conveying sincerity, unconditional positive regard, and empathy, the client will be able to change They suggested that it would respond in a personality structure. They believe that child-centered play therapy is the most meaningful and helpful educator in creating long-term and positive change in a child's experiences within the counseling relationship.
In summary, it is an important tool for children who play for many reasons. Play is the child's natural environment. Developmentally, play bridges the gap between concrete experiences and abstract thoughts. Play offers the chance to organize real-life experiences that are complex and abstract. Children gain a sense of control through play and also teach coping skills. Axline ( 1947) identified 8 basic principles that will guide child-centered play therapy with his own developmental understanding. These basic principles emphasize the priority of the counseling relationship.
1. Establish a warm and friendly relationship with the child. max.
2. Accepting the child unconditionally without expecting him to be different in some way.
3. Creating a sense of freedom in the relationship so that the child can express his/her self freely.
4. Recognizing and reflecting the child's emotions in order to understand the child.
5. Respecting the child's instinctive abilities to solve his own problems and shifting responsibility to the child.
6. Not trying to direct the child's actions or speech but allowing the child to direct it.
7.Recognizing the gradual nature of the child's process and not rushing the counseling.
8. Setting the necessary limit to integrate the child's counseling into the world of reality.
In short; In Child Centered Play Therapy, it is important to consider the child instead of the problem, the present instead of the past, emotions instead of thoughts and actions, understanding instead of explanation, and acceptance instead of correction. It is essential that the child manages the therapeutic process rather than the therapist giving commands. The main force for change is not the therapist's knowledge, but the child's inner resources and wisdom.
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