Playtime: Why It's Important

“Play is essential for a child's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. It helps them learn to process the world.”

Play is a natural and developmentally appropriate way for children to make sense of their world. Much like how an adult gains insight from reflection and building an increased sense of awareness; children benefit from being able to play-out intense feelings, and thus gain a sense of control over an adult driven world.

Coming off the heels of the pandemic we hope to highlight the emotional, social and developmental benefits of incorporating more opportunities for play. "Parents can help children return to play by incorporating it into family routines, thereby modeling its importance."

Please see the tips provided in the attached article about how to incorporate play into your child’s everyday life.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/optimized/202104/the-impact-play-deprivation

The Benefits of Group Therapy

Research has found that both group therapy and individual therapy are relatively equivalent in their effectiveness in addressing a broad range of mental health disorders, but being in group therapy offers participants many advantages. For instance, group therapy helps participants realize they are not alone in their challenges and gives them exposure to multiple members' perspectives. The pandemic especially exacerbated social struggles and hindered the implementation of healthy coping skills. Groups allow the opportunity to use these skills in real time and create ways to foster them in natural environments. Groups provide opportunities for receiving support, and help uncover alternative routes for problem solving in a safe environment, free of judgement. In group therapy members frequently find their "voice," and promotes a safe & supportive space to hone communication abilities and social skills. For members who may struggle with shyness or social anxiety, it can allow for participation and progress without them feeling like the center of attention and without fear of failure. Hearing others' stories can be a huge benefit to members who can learn from others how they have successfully dealt with life's difficulties. Members find that listening to other participants' stories and offering encouragement and support improves their self-esteem and develops camaraderie. Groups often end up providing a safe community. Healing through listening is effective, especially from others who share similar emotions or life stories. Group therapy is not just about learning, it’s also about being a support to one another. Mutual aid fosters vulnerability, challenges views, encourages creative thinking and creates unity. Members often find that listening to other participants' challenges can help them to put their own challenges into perspective and view them through a new lens.

-Post written by: Emily Faro, LCSW, Director of Growth and Business Development

Coastal is currently offering many groups. To find out more check out the "current groups" tab on the website.

The Power of Play

"Research shows play can improve children's abilities to plan, organize, get along with others, and regulate emotions. In addition, play helps with language, math and social skills, and even helps children cope with stress".

Play Can Reduce the Impact of Stress

"In addition to boosting a child's health and development, play helps to build the safe, stable and nurturing relationships that buffer against toxic stress and build social-emotional resilience. The mutual joy and one-on-one interaction that happens during play can manage the body's stress response, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. In one study, 3- to 4-year-old children, anxious about entering preschool, were two times more likely to feel less stressed when allowed to play for 15 minutes, compared to classmates who listened to a story".

For more information, checkout the article linked below on the impact play has on the developing brains of little ones, and how to incorporate age-specific ideas for play.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/power-of-play/Pages/the-power-of-play-how-fun-and-games-help-children-thrive.aspx