The Benefits of Play-Based Therapy

by Thriveable Therapies

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When watching a speech therapy session, from the outside it may look like the speech therapist “just playing” with a child. But in reality, it's far from just play—it's a carefully designed, evidence-based approach to help children develop essential communication skills. Play-based therapy combines the joy of play with targeted language development strategies, creating a powerful and engaging way to support children in their speech and language journey. This method isn't just about fun—it's about learning in a way that's both effective and enjoyable. Play is not only a natural part of childhood, but it is also a dynamic and highly effective tool for learning. More specifically, it has been shown to be especially beneficial in speech therapy, helping children develop communication skills while enjoying the process. Let’s dive into some of the key benefits of integrating play into speech therapy sessions.

Play Encourages Active Engagement

Traditional therapy methods can sometimes feel like a one-sided experience where the child is expected to simply follow instructions. In contrast, play-based therapy creates an interactive environment that encourages the child to actively participate. Whether it’s through playing with toys, building with blocks, or engaging in role-play, children are more likely to stay motivated and involved when the activity feels like fun rather than work.

Building Social Skills Through Play

Speech therapy isn’t just about forming words and sounds—it's also about understanding and using language in social contexts. Play-based therapy fosters natural opportunities for children to practice social communication. It allows them to learn important skills like taking turns, making requests, asking questions, and responding to others. Through games and interactions with a therapist or peers, children have real-time opportunities to develop these essential social language skills.

Improved Retention and Learning

The science behind play-based therapy is compelling. Dr. Karyn Purvis, a well-known expert in child development, has said, “Scientists have recently determined that it takes approximately 400 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain—unless it is done with play, in which case, it takes between 10-20 repetitions.” This means that children can learn and retain new concepts much faster when play is incorporated into therapy. Play not only helps them stay engaged, but it accelerates the process of learning by making it enjoyable.

Promoting Emotional Expression and Regulation

Play provides a safe space for children to express their emotions and practice regulating them. For children who may struggle with verbalizing their feelings, playing with dolls, action figures, or puppets allows them to enact scenarios that may be difficult to express with words. This creative expression can support emotional development, which in turn enhances the ability to communicate verbally.

Building Confidence and Reducing Anxiety

For some children, speech therapy can be intimidating or frustrating, especially if they are struggling to express themselves. Play-based therapy creates a non-threatening environment where children can explore speech and language without fear of failure. By taking the pressure off and making therapy feel like a game, children gain confidence as they see improvement and feel motivated to continue learning.

Creating a Bond of Trust Between Therapist and Child

Finally, one of the greatest benefits of play-based therapy is the opportunity it provides for the therapist to build a stronger, more trusting relationship with the child. When therapy is fun, children are more likely to open up and feel comfortable communicating with their therapist. This rapport is crucial for successful therapy outcomes, as trust between the child and therapist can help the child feel more confident in their abilities and less apprehensive about the challenges they may face.

Conclusion

Play-based therapy is a powerful tool in the world of speech therapy. It offers a unique blend of learning, fun, and emotional growth that can significantly improve a child’s speech and language skills. By integrating play into therapy, children are more likely to engage, learn, and build confidence—all while having fun in the process. And as Dr. Karyn Purvis reminds us, “When learning done with play, it takes between 10-20 repetitions” to create lasting change in the brain. This means that learning is the most effective when it’s fun!

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