Play Specialist
- Play is a familiar activity for most children.
- Play is the international language of the child.
- Play is a fun, enjoyable activity that elevates our spirits and brightens our outlook on life.
- Play expands self-expression, self-knowledge, self-actualisation and self-efficacy.
- Play relieves feelings of stress and boredom, connects us to people in a positive way,
- stimulates creative thinking and exploration, regulates our emotions, and boosts our ego. (Landreth, 2002).
- Play allows us to practice skills and roles needed for survival.
- Learning and development are best fostered through play, (Russ, 2004).
The Play Specialist differs from the play therapist (although this term is widely used), in that the therapist is not involved in helping the child to address and resolve psychological conflicts and problems. Play therapy refers to a large number of treatment methods, all applying the therapeutic benefits of play.
The Play Specialist facilitates the child to develop the behaviours necessary as a foundation for learning and
social-communication.
The Role of the Play Specialist
To provide appropriate assessment, advice and intervention for any play and learning difficulties which may occur due to a developmental delay or specific disorder or be acquired through injury or a degenerative process.
