Kids Inc Therapists Encourage Children to 'Play Their Feelings'
Kids Inc, a leading children's counseling group in Omaha, shared today a list of "Play Therapy" tips for parents to use with their children. Following the April 24 reported gunshots at two Omaha schools, Kids Inc provided the play-focused tips for parents of the affected elementary and middle school students. Omaha, NE (PRWEB) April 27, 2008 -- Kids Inc, a leading children's counseling group in Omaha, shared today a list of "Play Therapy" tips for parents to use with their children. Following the April 24 reported gunshots at two Omaha schools, Kids Inc provided the play-focused tips for parents of the affected elementary and middle school students, in an effort to bring awareness of how playing with your children can be extremely useful following disturbing or tragic events. The tips, according to Kids Inc, assist children in talking about and showing their feelings in a unique way. Play Therapy Tips for Parents:
- Color, play with clay, or paint with your kids to encourage them to "play their feelings", not just "talk" them.
- Have each member of your family write down a topic to discuss together and toss them in a hat; ask your child to draw a topic from the hat and discuss it together over dinner. Include topics in the hat about recent disturbances or stressors at school or home.
- Read children's books with your kids on unrelated problems, such as losing a puppy. Use this to generate discussion with your children about the feelings of the characters in the book and then their own feelings.
- Hold and hug your child often.
- Don't Talk. Listen. Let your child do the talking.
"I'm saddened, once again, that something like this has happened in Omaha," said Kids Inc Director and Founder, Allan Gonsher, in response to the shooting at King Science and Technology Magnet School and reported shots at a nearby elementary school. "We need to continue to be vigilant in carefully observing our children's behaviors amidst these tragedies."Gonsher said children's reactions to such events as the middle school shooting can take place months following the actual event. "Six months after the event is often when kids will act out, whether that be through aggression, bed-wetting, academic problems at school, separation anxiety from their parents, or otherwise. Many acting out behaviors can result." Gonsher noted that along with the play therapy tips, parents should also "be aware that children will generally 'go underground' with their feelings, but their behaviors will be exposed 'above ground' following a disturbing event." Gonsher, author of Allowance is Not a Bribe, and a leading expert on child's Play Therapy and has appeared as a guest writer in Ladies' Home Journal, Child Magazine, and The Jewish Homemaker, as well as numerous radio and TV shows across the country. He is also a registered Play Therapist Supervisor, who has advised therapists internationally on Play Therapy techniques and theories. Gonsher has been awarded the Nebraska Social Worker of the Year as well as the Nebraska Play Therapist of the Year and is the founder of such organizations as Youth Leadership in Omaha and the Nebraska Association of Play Therapy. His specialized therapist staff of 10 at Kids Inc in Omaha provided counseling services to many affected by the Westroads Mall shootings in Omaha last December. Staff members of Kids Inc are available for crisis team consultation and supervision, play therapy, and other specialized counseling services in response to the April 24 school tragedy in Omaha. For more information on Allan Gonsher and Kids Inc's services, visit www.kids-incorporated.com. About Kids Inc:
Kids Inc is a leading provider in child, adolescent, and family counseling services in the Midwest. Located at 11414 W. Center Road in Omaha, the staff at Kids Inc specializes in a wide variety of "Play Therapy" techniques for helping kids and teens cope with trauma, loss, anxiety, aggression, divorce, and more. Kids Inc is also a leader in providing therapy consultation and education for area practitioners and school counselors. Kids Inc Director Allan Gonsher is available for interviews at (402) 330-4014, ext. 307 or cell (402) 578-1862. ###
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