kids Archive

A three step sequence of stating the limit, giving a warning, and enforcing the consequence can be used in a child-centered play therapy session … this simple limit setting model is also a GREAT to use CONSISTENTLY and with FOLLOW THROUGH

When teaching a class on play therapy, I teach and quiz my students on basic skills of being a child-centered play therapist.  I also discuss using these same skills with the parents of my children clients to help decrease problematic behaviors

I remember growing up having a wonderful collection of ribbons and barrettes.  The barrettes were always proudly displayed hanging on a pastel rainbow ribbon on the back of the bathroom door.  And, now that my own daughter is starting her own

Constructive Playthings 800-448-4115 www.constplay.com Discovery Toys 800-341-8697 www.discoverytoysinc.com The Doll Hospital & Toy Soldier Shop 800-551-7523 www.reallygreattoys.com Oriental Trading Company 800-228-2269 www.orientaltrading.com Rhode Island Novelty 800-528-5599 www.rinovelty.com Self Esteem Shop 800-251-8336 www.selfesteemshop.com Toys of the Trade 866-461-2929 www.toysofthetrade.com Toys to Grow On

Here’s a list I complied from many play therapy resources of what toys to include in a play therapy room.  It’s also a great list for home play rooms too!  

Want to learn more about play therapy?  Here are some of my favorite resources … Amazon.com Widgets    Dibs: In Search of Self,   by Virginia Axline Play Therapy,  by Virginia Axline The Child’s Discovery of Himself,  by Clark Moustakas Psychotherapy

These principles are directly quoted from Virginia Axline (1969) Play Therapy. They are the long-standing essentials of non-directive play therapy, however the word “therapist” in each statement could easily be changed to “parent” or “teacher” to help children grow to be psychological

So … what to do with ALL that Halloween candy?  I definitely don’t want us eating all of it … therefore, in the name of science we will sacrifice some! This worked especially well because Henry’s awesome kindergarten teacher (Mrs. Walch)

Along with all the fun projects, I’ve also been playing with my food … Halloween style.  Here’s some fun we’ve had … … just a PBJ on a sandwich thin … with 2 eyes and a mouth! … Halloween cheese and

Thanks to an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (Mickey’s Adventures in Wonderland … where Mickey & Donald chase after a runaway cuckoo bird), Honor has been quite interested in cuckoo clocks.  Also, one of her favorite songs is “Tick tock tick

I was inspired this year to get lots of smaller pumpkins to decorate a bunch of ways … rather then getting just a couple to carve like we normally do.  Here are some ways we played with our pumpkins this year

I was super excited to do this project as our first with some of the kids in our new neighborhood.  Including us, there are now 8 kids, under 9 years old, living in adjacent houses.  This opportunity of having playmates so