Play Therapy for Pre-Schoolers

Pre-schoolers often display unacceptable behavioural issues like hitting other children, choosing to be socially isolated from their peers or displaying emotional irregularities like temper tantrums, showing unwarranted fears and anxieties, or having bouts of crying. Teachers and parents alike are also often concerned about children displaying signs of learning difficulties. Poor socio-emotional developmental is yet another area of concern that interferes with the child’s Emotional Quotient (EQ) development and socialisation process. Parents are encouraged to seek early intervention in order to boosts their child’s confidence and help them navigate pre-school.

PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN CHALLENGES:

 Developmental issues: Learning difficulties, dyslexia and autism.

 Adjustment issues: Unhappy to go to school, complaints of stomach headache.

 Specific socialisation issues: Isolated play, no friends at school.

 Interpersonal Issues: sibling rivalry, non-friendly towards classmates.

 Wider socialisation issues: Difficulty adjusting to a new culture, environment or country

 Emotional distress: Teary or easily cries over small things at home / class.

 Separation anxiety: Fearful in class or whenever separated from parents.

 Self -esteem: Inability to speak up due to low self-confidence.

 Behavioural issues: Temper tantrums, diffused aggression and poor conduct.

 Academic Issues: Poor retention, dislikes doing work, lacks motivation, difficulty following instructions of teachers.

 Special Needs: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder(ADHD); Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Global Developmental Delays (GDD).

Trained and accredited therapists at and AppleTree Counselling adopt art, play, symbol work and sand-tray therapy to address pre-schooler’s socio-emotional & developmental challenges. Other forms of expressive therapies includes clay/paint/drawing/Mandela art, while a specific form of body movement therapy is used for trauma work. Play therapy is soothing for children as it creates an atmosphere of safety which then allows them to express their greatest fears, emotional distress, unhappiness or sadness in a way that is non-threatening for them.