Working with Children in Counselling - Counselling Children

Summary

The video script emphasizes the role of play in helping children process their emotions in a safe environment. It discusses how play allows children to explore complex feelings, often through role-playing or games, which can lead to better emotional expression than direct conversation. By providing alternatives to negative behaviors and using activities that highlight various emotions, children can learn to articulate their feelings and manage emotional challenges effectively. Ultimately, the script underscores the importance of play in developing emotional resilience and helping children navigate their experiences with greater understanding and control.

Takeaways

• 😀 Creating a safe playroom environment helps children process their emotions and experiences.
• 🧸 Play serves as a medium for children to work through their feelings and difficult situations without directly addressing them.
• 🎭 Encouraging children to act out stories allows them to express emotions indirectly, which can lead to new understandings and resolutions.
• 🚫 Setting limits on behavior, such as not allowing children to shoot at people, helps teach appropriate expressions of anger or frustration.
• 💡 Providing alternative actions, like calming down or engaging in a different activity, empowers children to manage their emotions constructively.
• 😊 Introducing different feelings during playtime assists children in recognizing and expressing their emotions, like happiness or sadness.
• 🎯 Using games and activities can help children learn to articulate their feelings, aiding them in real-life situations where they might struggle to express themselves.
• 📚 Understanding common emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, and fear is vital for children's emotional literacy.
• 🛠️ Play therapy can address specific problems children face, such as bullying, by exploring solutions through play.
• 🧠 Helping children gain control over their emotional responses allows them to manage fear and hurt more effectively, rather than being overwhelmed by these feelings.

Q & A

Why is play important for children processing their emotions?

Play provides a safe space for children to express and work through their emotions indirectly, allowing them to explore feelings that might be difficult to articulate verbally.

How do children's brains process emotions differently than adults?

Children's brains are still developing, making it challenging for them to express complex emotions verbally. Play allows them to engage in emotional processing through actions rather than words.

What role do limits play in emotional expression during play?

Setting limits helps children understand acceptable ways to express their feelings. For example, while it's okay to feel angry, directing that anger towards safe objects rather than people teaches them constructive emotional expression.

What can shooting at targets representing different emotions teach children?

It helps children identify and articulate various feelings, providing them with the vocabulary to express how they feel in real-life situations.

How does play therapy address specific problems children face?

Play therapy allows children to act out scenarios related to their specific problems, such as bullying, which can help them find solutions or learn to manage their emotional responses to those situations.

What are some common emotions that children learn to identify through play?

Common emotions include happiness, sadness, anger, and fear. These are foundational feelings that children typically recognize and express.

What alternatives can be provided to a child feeling upset instead of aggressive actions?

Alternatives might include calming down in their room, engaging in a different play activity, or having a drink of water, helping them manage their emotions without resorting to aggression.

Why is it beneficial for children to express emotions through characters in play?

Expressing emotions through characters allows children to distance themselves from their feelings, making it easier for them to explore and understand their emotions without the pressure of direct self-examination.

What is the ultimate goal of using play to address children's emotions?

The ultimate goal is to help children gain control over their emotions, enabling them to manage feelings effectively rather than being overwhelmed by them.

How does the facilitator's approach help children communicate their feelings in real life?

By providing opportunities for emotional expression in a playful context, the facilitator equips children with the necessary vocabulary and skills to articulate their feelings when faced with similar situations in the real world.