Creating a Therapeutic Environment: Important Things to Consider when Selecting Child Therapy Toys
Despite a cultural shift away from traditional playtime, using therapeutic toys is an important practice in the field of child therapy. Child therapy toys can be some of the most useful tools a therapist has to work with their patients, but it's important to choose the right toys for the job.
There are several things that you, as a child therapist, need to consider when you're selecting these toys. For instance, what will the purpose of the play therapy toys be on an individual level? To help you select the best child therapy toys for your playroom, here are a few important things to consider in your process.
Creative Expression
It's essential for a playroom to have child therapy tools that allow creative expression. Toys like sand tray therapy kits and craft materials can have a calming effect and foster creative expression. In addition, they can make children feel more comfortable and in control of their surroundings. Sand tray toys are especially helpful in this regard.
Durability
The therapy toys in your playroom should not only be avenues for children to explore, they must be durable as well. Children love to play, but toys often receive the brunt of their playfulness. A play session can last anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes, so make sure your therapy toys can outlast that time.
Aggression Release
These types of toys serve the specific purpose of allowing children to express emotions that they would otherwise be prevented from articulating in another setting. Even things as simple as egg cartons and popsicle sticks, which can be easily and safely destroyed, are good supplemental supplies to have on hand for this category of therapy toys.
Realistic Expression
Nurturing toys that are representative of real life situations or people are invaluable in the playroom. Toys like doll families and puppets and items like cars and boats are all a part of this category.
Variety
Above all else, you should ensure that you have a wide variety of play tools across different categories of expression. No two children are the same, and having a number of avenues through which to convey their emotions is going to help discern what type of interaction and communication problems they might be having.
Whether you're in the market for new child therapy toys or you're looking for a specific item for a patient of yours, these are all incredibly helpful considerations to make when selecting your playroom tools.
There are several things that you, as a child therapist, need to consider when you're selecting these toys. For instance, what will the purpose of the play therapy toys be on an individual level? To help you select the best child therapy toys for your playroom, here are a few important things to consider in your process.
Creative Expression
It's essential for a playroom to have child therapy tools that allow creative expression. Toys like sand tray therapy kits and craft materials can have a calming effect and foster creative expression. In addition, they can make children feel more comfortable and in control of their surroundings. Sand tray toys are especially helpful in this regard.
Durability
The therapy toys in your playroom should not only be avenues for children to explore, they must be durable as well. Children love to play, but toys often receive the brunt of their playfulness. A play session can last anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes, so make sure your therapy toys can outlast that time.
Aggression Release
These types of toys serve the specific purpose of allowing children to express emotions that they would otherwise be prevented from articulating in another setting. Even things as simple as egg cartons and popsicle sticks, which can be easily and safely destroyed, are good supplemental supplies to have on hand for this category of therapy toys.
Realistic Expression
Nurturing toys that are representative of real life situations or people are invaluable in the playroom. Toys like doll families and puppets and items like cars and boats are all a part of this category.
Variety
Above all else, you should ensure that you have a wide variety of play tools across different categories of expression. No two children are the same, and having a number of avenues through which to convey their emotions is going to help discern what type of interaction and communication problems they might be having.
Whether you're in the market for new child therapy toys or you're looking for a specific item for a patient of yours, these are all incredibly helpful considerations to make when selecting your playroom tools.