Play Therapy Activities: 101 Play-Based Exercises to Improve Behavior and Strengthen the Parent-Child Connection
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Harness the power of play―101 creative ways for you and your child to bond, have fun, and so much more!
What’s the best way for children to relate to the world around them? Play! In this book, you’ll find a collection of joyful activities that allow parents of children ages 3 to 9 to unlock the therapeutic benefits of play.
From strengthening your bond to decreasing their screen dependency, Play Therapy Activities offers a variety of simple exercises that can help improve your child’s behavior, impulse control, self-awareness, and more. New to the idea of play therapy? This parent-friendly guide offers a comprehensive overview of the practice, as well as advice for making sure you and your child get the most out of your experiences together.
Play Therapy Activities provides:
Open the play therapy toolbox―Discover how you can help your child hone certain skills and behaviors with arts and crafts, relaxation and breathing activities, and more.101 Fun activities―Whether it’s dancing, creating stories, or playing outside, discover on- and off-the-page activities (and tips!) for any number of occasions and moods.Play therapy revealed―Find out how and why play therapy is so effective, as well as the ways in which these activities can supplement actual play therapy.
Bring fun and skill-building games home with Play Therapy Activities.
From the Publisher
Make it easy to explore play therapy with:
A Play Therapy Toolbox
Help kids develop their skills and bond with you through arts, crafts, games, music, and more.
101 Activities
No matter the mood or occasion, find activities perfect for you and your child’s unique needs.
Simple Explanations
Learn all the hows and whys of play therapy, plus ways to supplement professional play therapy.
Publisher : Callisto
Publication date : August 11, 2020
Language : English
Print length : 194 pages
ISBN-10 : 1647391261
ISBN-13 : 978-1647391263
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 7.5 x 0.48 x 9.25 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #20,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #10 in Popular Developmental Psychology #12 in Occupational Therapy (Books) #39 in Medical General Psychology
Customer Reviews: 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 746 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
Customers say
Customers find this play therapy book helpful, particularly for toddler parents, and appreciate its engaging activities that promote relationship-building and skill development. They describe it as user-friendly and consider it a valuable resource.
13 reviews for Play Therapy Activities: 101 Play-Based Exercises to Improve Behavior and Strengthen the Parent-Child Connection
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Original price was: $17.99.$9.39Current price is: $9.39.
Cheryl –
Informative and creative
This is a really cool book with creative ideas to interact with your kid and try to make communication easier when they haven’t learned all the words for what they need and feel.The first chapters explaining the purpose of play therapy were very insightful and made it easier to understand the purpose and how it benefits the kids.
vivivi –
An Absolute Gem for Parents and EducatorsâWorth Every Star and More!
To be completely honest, I initially ordered a different book because it was published more recently and had a higher GoodReads rating. However, since there was no information about the inside of that book, I took a chanceâand it turned out to be a mistake. I immediately purchased this one instead, and now that I have it in hand, Iâm truly impressed.The quality of the paper, printing, and illustrations is excellent, and the organization is thoughtful and user-friendly. What stands out most, though, is how accessible and well-designed the activities are for parents and caregivers without a professional background in play therapy. The book provides clear, practical guidance thatâs easy to follow, making it a joy to use.This book is truly a gift for educators and anyone looking to help children through joyful, playful relationship-building and skill development. If I could, Iâd give it 10 stars! Itâs an invaluable resource that I highly recommend.
BFoote –
Benefits Children with PTSD
As a teacher of young children with trauma as well foster mama to my sweet 5yr old who suffers clinically high levels of anxiety and depression, as well as PTSD, and adjustment disorder, this book is an AMAZING resource!Itâs well-written by a registered play therapist who gives great information about the science of play therapy in the first few chapters. The activities are very age appropriate for little ones and honestly much more accessible and applicable than emotional regulation content Iâve boughten from TeachersPayTeachers. I like that the chapters are separated by activity type but every single one of them helps foster that connection between caregiver and child. My foster son loves the worry jar activity. He chose the color blue to represent worry so we covered a small cardboard box in blue paper then decorated the outside. When heâs really upset about something, he grabs a scrap of blue paper and either says the worry aloud or draws it then crumples the worry and puts it in the box to get it out of his mind. He even decided to make a âhappy boxâ to fill with good things he likes about his day. Iâve boughten several books to help strengthen his emotional awareness and bond with me, as well as to work on coping skills. This is my favorite so far. Weâve done at least 10 activities and he has responded well to all. Every time we do one I get that warm fuzzy feeling of connection with him in my heart too! I love that I can see him learning to cope better through the activities and strategies in this book. Iâve used several of the breathing techniques with students in my first grade class and they benefit from them as well.
Redhead321 –
Helps with play therapy
As a play therapist, I have loved using this book as a guide to my therapy sessions. I definitely recommend using this book to guide you if you are new to play therapy or an attachment based approach. At times i think it could do a better job of explaining more psycho education behind the exercise. But overall is good for brainstorming new activities with parents and their children!
Maria M –
Excellent information!
Great book with helpful ideas.
A Lynn –
Fun and Practical
I really appreciate the wealth of activities presented here. The activities are fun and engaging without being hard to accomplish. Very parent-child friendly.
Amazon Customer –
Disappointing
If you have any experience with children or access to blogs/Pinterest/internet, this may not be the book for you. Secret handshakes and nature walks arenât exactly ground breaking ideas. I was disappointed with the play therapy activities overall. I also thought there would be more correlation between negative behaviors you are helping your child through and the activities.
Sunny –
Works for ALL AGES!!!
This book is incredibly helpful for everyone. Literally everyone could find good use reading and applying techniques with every day communication. Iâve found that play therapy helps me to be more patient and empathetic with my son and allows him the freedom to be playful and express his emotions in a healthy manner. Iâve used some techniques with my boyfriend unbeknownst to him and thatâs strengthen our relationship. Iâve also used the information I have learned in my work and I have been able to distinguish why people behave certain ways and how I can react to help them modify and realize their insolent and erratic outbursts. Itâs so true that everyone needs play to grow and I strongly believe in the benefits this book can yield for everyone of all ages!!
Angela –
My job role includes working directly with children and supporting parents to work with their children. This is a great book for those new to theraplay based activities. Itâs super accessible with a big variety of activities that are really easy to undertake with a child.The book is beautifully designed and is great for looking through with a child, for them to choose activities from too.
Namita Das –
Dive into transformative possibilities with “Play Therapy Activities: 101 Play-Based Exercises to Improve Behavior and Strengthen the Parent-Child Connection” by the adept Melissa LaVigne, LCSW RPT. A true gem, this book unfurls an extensive collection of play-based exercises ingeniously tailored to guide children through diverse emotional and behavioural landscapes.As a seasoned registered play therapist, Melissa LaVigne masterfully demystifies the science and merits of play therapy, presenting it in a manner that is both lucid and captivating. Within these pages, she gives a stunning compendium of 101 activities, seamlessly blending accessibility with excitement for both children and facilitators. These activities are categorized into snuggle, sensory, movement, art, and mindfulness domains, each contributing uniquely to the child’s holistic growth.Each exercise, a masterpiece in its own right, follows a meticulously crafted format. Commencing with a clear goal, it delineates the path to desired outcomes. Comprehensive instructions and a list of materials ensure effortless execution, while inventive variations allow for adaptability to individual needs. The overarching purpose? To nurture behaviour enhancement and fortify the sacred parent-child bond whilst promoting emotional resilience and regulation.Among these treasures, the “worry jar” stands out as a beacon of support for needy children. Within this activity, children inscribe or illustrate their worries onto paper, tenderly placing them within a bedecked receptacle. A cathartic exercise, it empowers youngsters to articulate their sentiments and confront challenges head-on. Meanwhile, the “imagination game” invites children on a joyous storytelling odyssey, weaving narratives with diverse characters and scenarios. This delightful endeavour unleashes the wings of creativity, all while nurturing connections of trust between youthful hearts and the guiding hands of the adults involved.This book is an invaluable thread in the grand tapestry of child enrichment. It suits parents seeking to bolster their child’s journey and anyone with a heart invested in kindling growth through play. Whether you’re a dedicated educator, a nurturing caregiver, or a fellow play therapy traveller, the wisdom within these pages guides you towards meaningful interactions. In a world where the well-being of our children is paramount, “Play Therapy Activities” emerges as an indispensable companion, an ode to the flourishing of young lives.
Jax – In NB –
This book is great! Lots of good ideas for play therapy.
lmmittle –
This is such a wonderful book full of quick and easy ways to connect and support your child.
Mary –
Great information! Some people can search some info online, but I prefer to have this in a book, I would feel more organised and scheduledâ with each day to play / spend time with my children. I cannot wait to try the activities with my daughter and son 🙂