Create A Therapeutic Environment: A Well-Planned and Organized Space is Very Important Especially for Distressed and Traumatized Children
- Orderly and Predictable
- Allow for Messiness & Ease of Clean Up
Criteria for Selecting Toys and Materials
Toys should:
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Allow for exploration of real-life experiences, including cultural values, traditions, and roles
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Facilitate contact with the child by gaining the child's interest and attention
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Permit reality testing/limit setting
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Provide the opportunity for development of self-control
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Facilitate exploration of the self and others
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Allow children to express their needs symbolically (without any need for verbalization)
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Provide for expression of a wide range of feelings
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Provide opportunities for insight/self-understanding
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Allow for creative expression
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Toys should also be durable, simple, and easy to operate, allow for success & are fun
Reminder: Toys should be selected, not collected
Categories of Toys
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Real-life and Nurturing
Doll family, doll house, baby bottle, variety of puppets, animal families, cars, money, cash, register, kitchen food, medical kit, phone, etc. -
Acting-out, Aggressive, Scary Toys (or not?)
Bop bag, toy soldiers, guns (colored plastic-not real looking!), scary/aggressive puppets and animals (alligator, shark, etc), rubber knife, foam sword, handcuffs, etc. -
Creative expression and emotional release:
Sand, water, paints, craft materials, clay, musical instruments, magic wand, dress-up clothes, etc.
Toys and Materials For Play Therapy
Fully Equipped Playroom
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Doll furniture (sturdy wood) Gumby (bendable nondescript figure) Doll bed, clothes, etc. *Bendable doll family *Dolls Pacifier Nursing bottle (plastic) Chalkboard, chalk Refrigerator (wood) Dishes (plastic or tin) Pitcher *Plastic food Egg cartons Broom, dustpan *Crayons, pencils, paper Toy watch Paints, easel, newsprint, brushes Lone Ranger type mask Tongue depressors, popsicle sticks *Truck, car, airplane, tractor, boat Pounding bench and hammer *Cymbals Toy soldiers and army equipment Sandbox, large spoon, funnel, sieve, pail Rubber snake, alligator *Multicolored chalk, eraser Stove (wood) *Pans, silverware Dishpan *Empty fruit and vegetable cans, etc.
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Band-aids Sponge, towel Soap, brush, comb Transparent tape Building blocks (diff. shapes and sizes) Play-Doh or clay Pipe cleaners ATV (multi-wheel vehicle for riding on) School bus (Fisher Price type) *Xylophone *Drum *Fireman's hat, other hats Zoo animals, farm animals Bop bag (Bobo) Handcuffs Toy noise making gun *Telephone (two) *Construction paper (several colors) Rags or old towels Tinker toys Tissue Rubber Knife Dart gun Balls (large and small) Medical kit Blunt scissors Play money and cash register *Hand puppets (doctor, nurse, etc.) Rope *Purse and jewelry |