A filial play coaching service is available for parents and teachers.
Filial play coaching is a therapeutic intervention which teaches parents and teachers basic principles of therapeutic play. In a series of sessions, individual parents and teachers are taught to conduct nondirective sessions of therapeutic play. This offers the opportunity to parents and teachers to be the agents of change for the child.
Filial play coaching has many benefits. It can help increase empathic responsiveness to the child, acceptance of the child, and allow the child’s self-direction. Filial play coaching can increase feelings of efficacy in parents and teachers, and reduce parental and teacher stress.
Information for Parents
As a parent you know your child better than anybody else. This service aims to teach a set of skills and strategies to use with your child to strengthen your relationship with your child. Busy home lives can put pressure on parents sometimes. Through a series of interactive sessions, we provide coaching and mentoring to support you develop skills to play non-directively with your child.
The aim of these sessions is to help you as a parent feel empowered in your parenting role. The sessions will enable you, as a parent, to learn a number of skills such as ‘being with’ your child, and reflecting your child’s feelings. You will have the opportunity to practise with your child the strategies we learn together, and discuss issues at your own pace.
Over the course of the sessions, you will probably see the following:
- Improved communication with your child
- Stronger bond with your child
- Increased confidence in your parenting role
- Improved ability to deal with child tantrums and difficult behaviours
- Increased self-esteem in your child over time
Information for Teachers
Many children will at some point experience a difficult time at school. With an increasing number of children experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties, you may recognise children in your school who may benefit from 1:1 sessions to help them understand and manage their emotions. Teachers are well placed to notice when a child at school needs additional support.
As teachers are increasingly busy and therapy resources at schools are limited, we provide coaching and mentoring to train teachers to conduct child-centred play sessions with the child in the school. Through a series of interactive sessions, we show teachers exactly what to do to so that teachers can interact with the child in a way that brings positive change in the child.
Filial play coaching for teachers is highly effective. Teaching staff has identified the following benefits for the child:
- Participation in group work
- Communication with others
- Listening and concentration
- Reducing exclusions
- Improved attendance rates
These outcomes have been associated with better academic achievement at school.
