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Magnets
Materials: None
Procedure: Group of children sit on
floor at some distance from one another. Therapists sing "jazzy" song.
When music stops, children gather together closer. Song resumes, then stops. Children
gather until they have formed a small knot.
Queen (or King)
for a Day
Materials: None
Procedure: As each child takes a turn to stand
in front of the group, the others make up a song in which he or she stars.
Follow
the Leader
Materials: inner tubes, pillows, boxes, and other objects large
enough to jump into, climb over, walk on, and so on.
Procedure: Therapist (or
child who has been appointed leader) leads the way. Other children follow. When
leader says "freeze!" all stop dead in their tracks.
Turtle
Materials:
One lightweight blanket
Procedure: One of two therapists leaves room. Remaining
therapist and group of children hide one child under blanket. First therapist
returns and, knowing hidden child's identity, expresses longing for a child just
like that one (for example, "I do so wish for a little girl with freckles
and sparkly eyes and little ears on the sides of her head. Oh how I wish that
I might find one just like that right inside this very blanket.") Therapist
then "unwraps" the blanket. (This idea is thanks to Viola Brody.)
Leap
Frog
Materials: None
Procedure: Children in group take turns "leaping"
over crouched "frogs." As each child finishes leaping, he takes his
place crouching at the front of the line of "frogs." The last child
in the line becomes the new "leaper."
Statues
Materials:
None
Procedure: Children in group "mold" one child into a statue
of what they think "he or she would most like to be doing
Rounds
Materials:
None
Procedure: Children take different starting points for joining the singing
of a song.
Simon Says
Materials: None
Procedure:
Each child takes a turn to direct the group in what actions they should do in
what sequence. Leader demonstrates; others follow.
Hammock
Materials: One large, solidly constructed blanket
Procedure: One child
at a time takes a turn to lie in the center of the blanket. Both therapists and
two or three children hold corners of blanket, raise it gently off the ground,
and softly swing it back and forth. Child lies quietly inside it. Maintaining
maximum eye contact with him, the group sings a little song about the cradled
child.
- Jernberg, Ann, Theraplay: A New Treatment Using Structured Play for
Problem Children and Their Families, Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Francisco: 1979.
Personal
Reflection Exercise #9
The preceding section contained information
about sample play therapy activities. Write three case study examples regarding
how you might use the content of this section in your practice.
Online Continuing Education QUESTION
23
Which play therapy activity involves each child standing in front
of the group while the others make up a song in which he or she stars? Record
the letter of the correct answer the .
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