The examination of the effectiveness of child-centered play therapy on 3-10 years old children with developmental problems

Child-Centered Play Therapy is an effective method to support emotional, cognitive, social, behavioral and academic development of children. Play is the most natural way for children to express themselves without words. Children have the power that they need in order to cope with their problems and can improve when an appropriate environment is offered to them. The therapists develop a good relationship with children and help them gain insight to their emotions and behaviors without directing. In this study, the effectiveness of Child Centered Play Therapy on developing self-concept, decrease in internalizing behaviors such as anxiety, depression, decrease in external behaviors such as aggressive, delinquent behaviors, decrease in attention problems, social problems and general behavior problems on 3-10 years old children with developmental problems has been examined. Quasi-experimental method was used in this study. The 6 children with developmental problems participating in this study, once a week, received half an hour individual play therapy for 12 weeks. The data were collected as a pre-test post-test using Child Behavior Check List/6-18, Teacher Report Form/6-18 and Filial Problem Checklist, filled by teachers and parents. According to the results of the study, the children who received Child Centered Play Therapy sessions showed significant decreases in anxiety, depression, attention deficit problems, aggressive and delinquent behaviors. It has been observed that these children are happier and able to express themselves more easily. This study proves that Child-Centered Play Therapy is an effective intervention in reducing emotional and behavioral problems, especially internalizing behaviors of children. Key Words: Play Therapy, Child Centered Play Therapy, Developmental Problems.