by Jennifer Wentz, LMFT

 

Population: Ages preschool through elementary school; specifically children who are depressed, unmotivated, withdrawn, or display low self esteem.

 

Materials needed: Newspaper

 

Directions: The therapist takes a single sheet of newspaper and stretches it tautly in front of the child. The child then punches through the sheet when given a signal. (The signal can be something fun like “bananas” and the therapist can go through several fruit or food items before saying the signal word). The therapist must hold the newspaper firmly so that it makes a pop when the child punches it. This can be done multiple times with other sheets of newspaper, varying the hand the child uses, or the signal word. Once this has been done several times, the therapist and the child can crush the torn newspaper into balls. The child then tosses the newspaper balls into the “basket” that the therapist makes with her arms.

 

Purpose: This is a Theraplay activity that promotes the challenge dimension in a session. By creating a game where the child can be successful, the therapist helps to increase the self esteem of the child and help him or her feel more competent and confident. In addition, structure and limit setting is created when the child has to wait for a signal to proceed with the activity. This gives the child a sense of safety and releases him or her from the need to maintain control. This activity also promotes interaction and engagement with the therapist as well as playfulness.

 

About the Author:  Jennifer Wentz is a licensed MFT who has worked doing play therapy with children and substance abuse treatment with adolescents and adults. She currently provides case management for families with developmentally disabled children at the Regional Center of the East Bay. Jennifer has been active in the San Francisco Chapter of the California Association for Play Therapy and currently serves at the state level as the Assistant Treasurer.