Play is Learning

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is learning.”
— Mr. Rogers

Too often, society expects children to be mini-adults – talking, thinking, reasoning, and expressing like adults. When they get silly or “distracted” it seems they must not be taking things seriously. In fact, children aren’t developmentally capable of being mini-adults, and it is a disservice to them to try to make them fit this mold. Instead, play meets them where they are developmentally and gives them voice to explore their thoughts, express feelings, make new connections, build relationships, and so much more. Play is important because it’s fun – and play is important because that is how children relate to the world, make sense of their experiences, and build connections.

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What is Attachment Anyway?

“Our children need to know that they are precious in the sunshine and in the rain.”
— Dr. Karyn Purvis

Attachment is the way we relate to others around us, both in healthy and unhealthy ways. In healthy attachment, the primary caregivers (usually the parents) serve as a secure base for the child. The child goes out to explore the world, becomes anxious, and returns to the caregivers to seek reassurance – and then the cycle begins again! There are many things that can cause changes to this cycle and attachment relationships – abuse, neglect, trauma, stressful pregnancy, difficult birth, and early medical intervention to name a few. When attachment is damaged, children’s brains wire around these experiences and they often exhibit difficult behaviors.

Goals of Attachment Therapy

- Help both the parent and the child learn to be safe and healthy in relationship with one another.
- To see past behaviors and wounds that make attachment difficult to the true child beneath the behavior.
- To help the parent and child learn to enjoy one another so that the healthy attachment cycle can work properly.

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Additional Services

- Social Skills Groups – for children on the Autism spectrum, with anxiety, ADHD, and other social challenges
- Marshak Interaction Method – for attachment assessment
- Adult Attachment Therapy – for parents and/or adults with childhood attachment trauma
- Managing Aggressive Behaviors training
- School observations and consultations

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