Play
by F.A. Thaariha
"You can discover more about a person in an
hour of play than in a year of conversation"
  In recent years, a growing
number of noted psychologists and psychiatrists have observed that play
is as important to human happiness and well-being as love and work. Some
of the greatest thinkers of all time, including Aristotle and Plato,
have reflected on why play is such a universal and enduring human
behaviour. There are many benefits of play for people of all ages.
Since play is such a fun and an enjoyable activity, it elevates our
spirits and brightens our outlook on life. It expands self-expression,
self-knowledge and self-actualization. Play relieves feelings of
boredom, connects us to people in a positive way, stimulates creative
thinking, regulates our emotions and boosts our egos.
Children in particular use play as an antidote to stress. By actively
playing with small toy soldiers, airplanes and tanks, children can
miniaturize the frightening images they see on television and gain a
sense of power and control over them. The tendency of children to
repeatedly play out a scene allows them to slowly mentally digest an
overwhelming life experience.
Children have played war games since the days of ancient Egypt and
Rome and historians say it is natural for children to re-enact the
events of the day. When children play out external events such as war,
terrorism or hospitalisation, they take advantage of play - the most
natural self-healing activity that childhood offers.
 Parents and teachers can take the advantage of the healing powers of
play by giving children appropriate play materials. For example, toy
spacecraft after the shuttle disaster, blocks for building towers and
airplanes after 9/11 can give them time to play and their presence to
observe or join the play as requested. Play is so widely used by child
therapists across the world.
Therapists may employ play activities to help children express what
is troubling them when they cannot express their thoughts and feelings
in words. Through role play, therapists can teach children more adaptive
behaviour when they have emotional or social skill deficits. The
positive relationship that develops between therapist and child during
play sessions may provide a corrective emotional experience or serve to
release the healing powers that lie within the child. Play is also used
to promote cognitive development and provide insight about inner
conflicts, or dysfunctional thinking in the child.
There are many ways to use the natural therapeutic powers inherent in
play.
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