Play therapy is an intervention most used with children. Play therapy allows for the child to assume complete control of their surroundings and role within the room. The most important part of play therapy is to have a safe space that the child feels most comfortable in. Children's truest form of expression is play. Much information can be gleaned from observing a child and how they choose to play.

• Materials: dolls, family unit figures, animal toys, playhouse, sand tray, stackable items for the child to use imaginatively, art materials, fidget toys, kitchen items, etc.

Benefits for Eve

Using play therapy with Eve will give her the opportunity to choose her most comfortable method of expression among the many options she has to choose from. Eve has trouble speaking up, or voicing her feelings when she is upset or something is bothering her. Play therapy is a positive intervention for Eve due to her struggles to express her feelings and frustrations in a healthy manner. Play therapy provides a space for the child to freely explore situations and act them out. Play therapy also will allow Eve to practice more appropriate approaches to situations.

DOI: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1429230.pdf

Art therapy is an intervention method that allows children to use their complete creative freedom to express their feelings outwardly. This intervention is especially effective with non-verbal children, as their representational thinking can be physically presented for analysis. The process of of creating art contributes to the therapeutic aspect of the intervention. Specifically for Eve, this intervention invites moments of peace and quiet while working. The act of creating in itself is therapeutic, while the content of the drawing or artistry can typically illude to something going on in the child's life. Eve has been increasingly upset about her mother not making it to her scheduled visits. This activity may momentarily calm her to discuss her feelings around the topic of her family.

• Materials: Brushes, paints, crayons, paper, a safe space for an easy clean-up, air dry clay

Peer reviewed source: Motlagh, E. G., Bakhshi, M., Davoudi, N., Ghasemi, A., & Moonaghi, H. K. (2023). The physical and psychological outcomes of art therapy in pediatric palliative care: A systematic review. Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 28, 13. https://doi.org/10.4103/jrms.jrms_268_22

Teacher Resource: https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/mandalas

Role playing allows to child to take complete control of situations and encourages the freedom to create what ever situation they desire in that moment. Role Playing allows exploration of different roles safely without judgment.

Additionally, role playing gives the child an opportunity to test different reactions, statements, conversations, and attitudes in situations. The child is able to expand their roles in the world by trying different ones and experiencing how it feels to be in that role.

Peer Reviewed Source:

Timmins, S., & King, P. (2024). An exploratory study into the perceived benefits of, and barriers to, the pedagogical use of puppet play in the early years. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 22(4), 584-597. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X241257339 (Original work published 2024)

I found a very useful resource for you to use with Eve if you choose.

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/all-things-play-therapy/

In this article, many different items are mentioned as options to use during the session. Some include play food, pretend doctor's bag, plastic tools, pretend money, dress-up costumes, and so much more. This intervention demands less from the interventionist, and allows total freedom to the child to play as they please. What Eve chooses can help you to identify themes in Eve's behavior, home life, and general thinking. Please let me know if you use this, and the outcome if so!

Please keep me updated if you decide to try this intervention, and what happens!

Thank you for all that you do for Eve,

-Ms. Jacobs

I wanted to share this super helpful resource that I came across. Eve was the first student that crossed my mind as I read through the purpose and procedure. Eve has trouble keeping herself calm in times of frustration, conflict, or struggle. I think Eve would really benefit from using a mandala coloring sheet in moments like this. Putting a crayon to paper and shifting the focus from the agitating stimulus to a calming and relaxing activity. I would also suggest removing Eve from the immediate location and giving her a quieter space to complete the activity. I have included a link to the website where you can select a number of different designs. This also helps to keep the activity from being too repetitive.

Please let me know if you use this with Eve, and what comes of it!

Thank you for all you do for Eve,

Ms. Jacobs

Here is a great resource for you to use with Eve in your class! I understand that at times it appears as if there is not catalyst for Eve's behavior, and that it comes out of nowhere. Sometimes in children with past histories of trauma, unexpected things can set off these behaviors. One intervention that I have found helpful with other children with ODD is the homemade finger puppet. If you are able to allow Eve to assist you in making the puppet- even better!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju-qUciipTI

This activity will allow Eve to assume what ever role she desires in what ever situation she chooses to create. Pay attention to what role she assigns herself and others that she deems important. Dynamics of her pretend play may be helpful to her treatment. Using finger puppets creates a more secure environment to express hard feelings. It has an aspect of concealment that helps to create the feeling of safety.

Additionally, Eve's mother has not made contact with her in a few weeks. Eve may be able to express to her mother through role playing what she wishes she could communicate with her.

Please keep me updated if you decide to try this intervention, and what happens!

Thank you for all that you do for Eve,

-Ms. Jacobs

Age: 5, recently began kindergarten 

Background: Eve is a 5-year-old Hispanic little girl.

Eve was removed from her biological parents' care due to testing positive for cocaine and opioids at birth. She has been with her grandmother for 5 years. She gets supervised visits with her parents, and she has for the past year and a half. They have been through the court system Eve's entire life. Her parents have gained sobriety and relapsed frequently in their recovery journey, leaving Eve unsure if they will be consistently part of her life. Additionally, her mother has not been showing up to the visits for the past 2 weeks. Her dad claims he does not know why she has not been attending.

 Concerns: Eve has significant behavioral outbursts when she is told no, has to share with others, or when given any direction she is not interested in. Some of these outbursts have resulted in violence and left her grandmother with minor injuries. These behaviors have only intensified since her mother stopped attending the supervised visits. Eve's grandmother has growing concerns regarding Eve's behavior and her own declining health as she ages.

Reason for referral: Eve has recently begun attending kindergarten. Her teacher has referred Eve to therapy with the approval of her grandmother due to several incidents that have occurred thus far in the school year. Eve has gotten physical with other students and once with the teacher.

Diagnosis

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Hobbies

drawing, dolls, her cat, Sissy.