Learn to Play
The aim of Learn to Play Therapy is to build the spontaneous pretend play ability of children, and to give a child the ability to play by him/herself and with others.
As children grow in their ability, they generalise their play ability skills to home, friends and school settings.
Learn to Play focuses on pretend play, as this type of play is the most complex and mature form of play. Pretend play also impacts on language (particularly narrative language), social interaction, and emotional integration of the child’s experiences.
The play skills that are the focus of Learn to Play Therapy are:
• Ability to spontaneously self-initiate play
• Sequencing play actions logically
• Using objects as something else (object substitution or symbols in play)
• Engaging with a doll or teddy character outside of themselves
• Integrating their play so a clear play script is evident
• Role play
• Socially interacting using play
