Better Play Times training – theory and practice in an EBD primary school

Abstract

Providing child‐centred play opportunities and re‐creating early attachment experiences facilitates a child's social and emotional development, as well as giving time and space for self‐expression and relaxation. Play therapists provide these conditions after lengthy and intensive training. Para‐professionals are now being trained and supported in offering therapeutic play sessions in schools. This article describes the training and implementation of one programme in a primary school for children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Qualitative and quantitative assessments are used to monitor the intervention and a summary of the results is given. The question of safeguarding pupils and staff in this new way of working is raised. The article considers the areas of school life that a programme of therapeutic play sessions might be valuable for. The piece finishes by looking at formalising the training and the how the trainees may continue with the work.

Keywords:

• play
• therapeutic
• relationship
• communication
• attachment
• skills