Let’s Connect Through Play

Let’s Connect Through Play

Why do children love the boxes toys come in, more than the toys themselves?

Relate NI’s People Development Manager has written a piece on the importance of play for children and young people this Children’s Mental Health Week.

Boxes give children permission to imagine a different world. Big boxes can be spaceships, dens, or a time machine. Smaller boxes a pet bed, a car, or a house for their figures.

Play offers children time out from their busy adult-led schedules. In School, afterschool activities, and sports, a child follows instructions. Playing is child-led. They construct the space; the narrative is their own.  Just as we appreciate activities, which slow the pace of life, offering time to breathe, play is a child’s time-out, normal rules are set aside, and imagination and curiosity take over. Play can be messy, and it can be loud, but all children need the time to govern and direct what is going to happen. As a parent, your role will be to give permission for play to happen and allow resources around the house to be used in a slightly different way to extend the play that is happening.

While children love for parents to be part of their play, it is important that you don’t take over what is happening. If doing a craft activity, let the child lead. It doesn’t have to be picture perfect, nor do you have to stick with the rules of what colour something could be. Dinosaurs can be bright pink, just go with the flow.

Outdoor play is both good for you and your child. The brighter nights approaching offers that chance to walk and not to rush. Collect sticks, and leaves, and spend time exploring the undergrowth if you dare for creepy crawlies.

So, the Children’s Mental Health Week Challenge, as if you need another one, is to observe the play in the house, and ask yourself, could I add to the play by subtly adding bits and pieces from around the house, fabrics, pots, etc or offering myself as a character/superhero/monster? Could you set up a play idea; create a den, collect cardboard boxes, and make something that they can use to develop into a play resource, dress up, and be directed by their narrative? Remember how delightful it was to be lost in play, totally immersed in the here and now, if you do, pass it on this Children’s Mental Health Week!

Relate NI children’s counselling service can also be delivered through a range of therapeutic disciplines including Play, Music, Clay and Art and can support children with stress, anger, family difficulties, change, bulling and relationships.

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This service is invaluable. Such lovely people to meet and help you through difficult times.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling for Couples
The service was excellent, my counsellor was really good at getting us to open up and helping us to get to the root of our issues. We have definitely improved our communication since attending.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling for Couples
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I would definitely recommend using the Relationship MOT service as a bit of a check in with your partner. I thought how the counsellor was able to steer the conversation was very insightful and nuanced. The MOT reminded us about why we are great together but also the importance of communication and respect.” “Our counsellor provided an outside perspective which immediately helped us to agree that we needed to stop and think with more kindness and empathy for each other especially when stressed or pissed off. We both felt that our counsellor’s excellent and gentle facilitation was quite invigorating. So many positives!Service Attended Relationship MOT 2
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I felt the weekly questionnaire, couples with the counsellor's understanding of my needs help contribute to my own understanding of my mental health and needs throughout.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling for Individuals
I loved every session. Our counsellor listened to what we had to say and gave us helpful wee homework - would recommend this service to everybodyService Attended Adult Relationship Counselling for Couples
Our counsellor was a fantastic support - we now feel strong enough to continue working on our relationship togetherService Attended Adult Relationship Counselling for Couples
I had a very good counsellor that helped me through a lot and it has made me come out the other side.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling for Individuals
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I would just like to say that when I first came for counselling I felt that I was drowning.  I have completed my sessions and I now feel that I can cope a lot better with everything.  Thank you for a brilliant service.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling For Individuals
Thank you Relate NI for a good nights sleep.Service Attended Relate NI Kids Counselling
Really enjoyed Relate NI and I'm actually going to miss counselling.  I Found it helpful to find myself again. Very fair and equal within our relationship.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling For Couples
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Relate NI has helped me move on as well as understand myself and situation more.  My counsellor listened to me, facilitated me and was compassionate!Service Attended Relate NI Teen Counselling
I felt the weekly questionnaire, coupled with counsellor's understanding of my needs helped contribute to my own understanding of my mental health and needs throughoutService Attended Adult Relationship Counselling For Individuals
We had four funded sessions and cannot express how grateful we are for the help, guidance and knowledge. Our counsellor was incredibly professional, and her experience and obvious passion for helping couples like us was exceptional. She helped us to understand ourselves and each other like we otherwise never would have been able to.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling For Couples
I have tried counselling many times in the past. This time actually made a difference. I was able to complete online sessions as well as some face to face.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling For Individuals

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