Many children need support in emotional literacy.
Others have behaviour or mental health problems at some stage that prevents them
from fulfilling their full potential.
Some studies indicate that 20% of children
have some form of psychological problem (
Venables
(1983);Rutter, Cox et al (1975); Jeffers & Fitzgerald (1991); Porteous
(1991) etc) and that 70% of these are helped
through the use of psychological based therapies such as play and
creative arts. The 1999 British government survey estimated
that 10% of children have a mental health problem. It is also
essential to realise that mental health, like physical health, is as
much about prevention as cure.
Conditions that therapeutic play and play therapy can
help - a short check list - 'Do you know a child who .......?'
Indications for Referral This short
article is a very useful guide for parents, carers and other lay persons who may be worried
about a child's emotional condition and the desirability of referral for play therapy.
The Play Continuum shows how different
applications of play can deal with a spectrum of children's emotional,
behaviour and mental health problems.
