Full Description
Develop children's brains and bonds with this collection of no-tech, physical games, strategies and activities. Ideal for children who have experienced neglect, abuse and trauma, these "real-world" experiences draw on therapeutic, trauma-focused-care play principles and promote positive attachment between child and caregivers.
Explanations for how and why specific play themes and caregiver attitudes can help children's brain development enhance the text. The book also shows how children learn to problem-solve real life situations by playing them out, finding workable solutions to their own problems, and increasing their resiliency. Further benefits include better cause-effect thinking, impulse control, and increased cognitive and emotional functioning by practicing physical movements that exercise specific areas of the brain.
Contents
Acknowledgements. Introduction. Part 1: Trauma, Movement, Relationships and the Developing Brain. 1. How Traumatic Stress Creates Maladaptive but Self-Protective Brain States: or When Bad Things Happen to Small People. 2. How Movement, "Real World" Play and Non-Virtual Relationships Can Build Brains, Better Minds and Bolster Bonds: or What I Learned from Playing Sodom and Gomorrah with Barbie Dolls. 3. Creating the Structure of the Relationship to Help Hurting Children Heal. Part 2: Helping Children Heal through Real-World Experiences, Activities and Face-to-Face Human Contact. 4. Build the Foundation for Mature Character through Safety-Security-Protection-Trust Activities and Experiences. 5. Build Awareness of Self and Others through Proprioception Activities and Rhythmic Interactions. 6. Build Emotional Regulation and Self-Control so that the Power of the Will Can Strengthen. 7. Build Courage, Compassion and Higher Level Thinking through Problem-Solving Activities and Acts of Bravery. 8. Where Do We Go From Here? References. About the Author.
