What National Play Therapy Week Has Looked Like for Me

National Play Therapy Week is a great opportunity to reflect on the power of my favourite thing - play, and how it supports children’s emotional growth and wellbeing.

Although therapy can look to be 'just playing' to the untrained eye, play is a child’s natural language. It allows them to express feelings, make sense of their experiences, and build important life skills in a safe and supportive environment. There is no better way!

So, during this week, my sessions in Ilkley, Bingley and Skipton have included:

Symbolic Play with Small World Materials

Children use figures, animals, and miniature objects to create stories and act out experiences. This symbolic play can reveal thoughts, feelings, and relationships that are hard to put into words.

Art-Based Ways to Express Feelings

Drawing, painting, and crafting are powerful tools for children to explore emotions. Art can help children externalise what feels too big to express verbally and allows adults to join them in understanding their inner world.

Sensory and Regulation-Focused Activities

Play that involves sensory experiences—like sand, water, or textured materials—supports emotional regulation and grounding. These activities help children feel safe and calm, creating a foundation for learning and connection.

Learning and Understanding Emotions Through Play

Through play, children can explore different feelings, understand their emotional responses, and practice expressing themselves in healthy ways. These moments build emotional literacy and empathy.

Problem-Solving Through Play

Child-led games and imaginative scenarios encourage problem-solving skills. Children experiment with different solutions, learn patience, and practice decision-making—all through play.

Building Flexibility Through Child-Led Games

Child-led play allows children to adapt, negotiate rules, and explore new perspectives. These experiences promote flexibility, creativity, and resilience.

and more...!

This week has reminded me why I love working in play therapy—the creativity, courage, and insight children bring is inspiring. Through play, children develop emotional literacy, problem-solving skills, and resilience, all in a safe and supportive space. It's pretty magic stuff!