Information for parents
and carers
We are delighted to be able to provide one-to-one therapeutic play for your child. It’s a brilliant opportunity to make a real difference, not to just their happiness, but to the wellbeing of the whole family. We aim to help your child learn, play and communicate better, usually leading to more harmonious relationships both at home and school.
Our method relies on non-directive, child-led play therapeutic play sessions run in your child’s school, and we also offer art, drama and dance therapies. We are pleased to provide free confidential support, advice and counselling to parents and carers.
Read on and discover more about how we can help you and your loved ones.
About therapeutic play and arts therapies
As we go through life, we all face challenges. Yet for many of us it can be difficult to put troubling feelings and experiences in to words. And for children, this can be even harder. But expressing emotions through creativity and play can be an effective way of dealing with them.
Children express themselves differently to adults. Therapeutic play is a tried-and-tested way to help a child’s emotional development. By providing weekly sessions in a safe space stocked with toys and creative materials, we give children an opportunity to freely express themselves in a way not always possible in everyday life. Both art and drama therapy offer different creative approaches to helping children work through emotional issues.
We employ a child-led, non-directive method, encouraging your child to decide how they use their therapeutic session. Our sessions are usually one-to-one, and therapeutic play can be effective from the age of three upwards. Art therapy and Drama therapy benefits children and adults alike and can be used on an individual or group basis.
How can therapeutic support help?
Therapeutic play not only helps the individual child, but can also benefit the lives of their whole support network. Although each child responds in their own unique way, common results include higher self-esteem, reduced anxiety, better interaction with other children and adults, improved self-control and greater emotional stability. However, this isn’t a quick fix and it may be some time before improvements take effect.
Who goes to therapeutic play sessions?
We strongly believe that there is no such thing as a “bad child”. As children grow, they each face a variety of changes, challenges and troubles. If your child is showing signs of anger, frustration, depression or general upset, therapeutic play can help you understand what they are going through and support them as they deal with the challenges they face.
“Carefree Kids is a great resource for children to have a fixed time to work through difficulties in their lives. I’ve certainly noticed changes and had positive feedback from parents. It’s a real bonus.”
Primary School Head Teacher, Waltham Forest
What is the room like?
Our therapeutic play rooms are set up to provide a safe, warm, friendly atmosphere. Each room is bursting with toys and arts materials specially chosen to encourage children to express themselves. This freedom of expression will help your child address their problems and emotions in the way they feel most comfortable.
To give your child a feeling of safety and predictability, we use the same room each week. Sessions are strictly private and all school staff are aware of how important it is that we are allowed to work uninterrupted.
How often are the sessions?
Each session lasts 45 minutes and takes place at the same time each week during the normal school term. Each child has a volunteer therapeutic play worker allocated to them – seeing the same person weekly allows for further continuity. We don’t offer a set number of sessions, preferring to continue seeing each child for as long as they need our support. This can take months or even years. Our sessions are very affordable, meaning schools rarely withdraw funding because of cost.
Talking about the therapeutic play sessions
We are 100% focused on the needs of each individual child. To ensure that your child gets the most from their sessions, it’s important that they arrive free of expectations. It’s for this reason that we ask parents and teachers to refrain from discussing their sessions with them. Some children choose to discuss their sessions with their parents and some don’t, but it’s essential that it remains their choice.
Who are the volunteers?
Sessions are carried out by our team volunteers who are a passionate group of local people from a wide range of social, cultural and educational backgrounds. However, one thing they all share is a dedication to helping others. Before they are ready to engage with children, they receive full training. They are also required to attend weekly supervision sessions.
You can have full confidence that every member of Carefree Kids has undergone an enhanced check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). To protect confidentiality, we try to place volunteers in schools where they don’t know the families.
“She seems much happier and enjoys her sessions. She is coming along a lot better. The sessions are definitely beneficial.”
Mother
Communication
Communication is a key part of what we do. For this reason, we are keen to have periodic meetings with family members and school staff. In these meetings we are happy to discuss a child’s general welfare and how we think they are responding to therapeutic play, but we will only disclose the specific content of their sessions if we are worried about their safety. Any concerns are normally addressed with the school’s child protection teacher.
Therapeutic play at home with your child
Experience shows us that children make quicker progress if school and home work together. By making therapeutic play part of their home life, you can encourage your child to see it as a safe and natural process.
We can help you learn the best way to use therapeutic play at home and provide the right toys to encourage an emotional, communicative and engaging response. By setting aside just 30 minutes a week, you can significantly benefit your child’s emotional wellbeing.
Everyday responses
The way you respond to your child’s behaviour can make a huge difference to your whole family. We can demonstrate how using positive everyday responses can help you better understand your child’s feelings, deal with anger and upset, and deepen your relationship.
What other help is there?
There are many great ways you can encourage your child to learn, play and communicate. We can help you find fun, engaging and therapeutic out-of-school activities and services in your area.
For more information, please contact us.
806 High Road Leyton, London E10 6AE020 8558 7799 /
charity no. 1111949
/ / / 2016-06-17