Therapeutic Play at Plainland Kindy
At Plainland Kindy we offer Therapeutic play for our children who have been identified as needing extra support .
Therapeutic play is a structured, intentional approach that uses a child’s natural language, play, to help them express emotions, process experiences, and achieve developmental or social goals. Since children often lack the verbal skills to explain complex emotions, toys become their “words” and play becomes their “language”. While regular play is spontaneous and for fun, therapeutic play is guided by specific goals to help a child resolve current emotional or behavioural challenges.
There are many benefits of Therapeutic play and these are as follows:
Emotional Regulation: Helps children identify, name, and cope with “big feelings” such as anxiety, anger, or frustration.
Improved Communication: Offers a non-threatening way to express thoughts and experiences without the pressure of direct questioning.
Confidence & Self-Esteem: Success in play scenarios builds a sense of mastery, self-efficacy, and a more positive self-view.
Problem-Solving Skills: Encourages children to explore different scenarios and potential outcomes, developing critical thinking and resilience.
Social Development: Promotes essential social skills like turn-taking, sharing, empathy, and healthy relationship-building with peers and family.
Stress & Trauma Processing: Provides a safe distance to rework stressful or traumatic experiences symbolically, aiding in healing and resolution.
We believe that this level of support to children will ensure that all children have the support and network to succeed in the Lockyer Valley
Educators will refer children to these Therapeutic play sessions in collaboration with families. These sessions will be offered to children 2 years and over and will run for 6 week blocks with review at the end of 6 weeks.
The educators will refer children who are:
Struggling with Transitions: High anxiety during drop-offs or room changes.
Socially Withdrawn: Finding it hard to connect with peers or preferring to play alone.
Acting Out: Showing frequent frustration, aggression, or “big feelings” that disrupt their day.
Experiencing Change: New siblings, moving house, or family stress.
Families are also able to put in an expression of interest for these sessions, but children will be seen based on priority.
These sessions will only currently run on a Monday.
