Play Therapy for Very Young Children

Charles Schaefer does it again! In this volume he and his co-editors Kelly-Zion, McCormick, and Ohnogi expand play therapy to the young child. The collected chapter authors challenge the reader to consider their work with a stung theory and research base. The case studies provide insight into the work developed by each author. The international quality stretches the reader to understand both the meta-communication and multi-cultural qualities. It also challenges the reader to assist in the preventive work that is critically needed. -- Linda Homeyer, President, Association for Play Therapy
If you are working therapeutically with very young children (0 to 3), you need this book. The authors' in-depth coverage of a variety of approaches to working with infants and their parents is an invaluable contribution to the field of infant mental health. Play therapists, childcare providers, healthcare professionals, and preschool teachers, this is a resource you can't afford not to have in your professional library. -- Terry Kottman, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC, Adjunct Professor, University of Northern Iowa
A timely and much-needed book. There is a widespread and growing need for prevention and early intervention programs and treatment approaches to help stem the rising tide of childhood disorders. Mental health problems in early childhood are often associated with greater family distress and conflict, poor social functioning and lower academic achievement during childhood and into adulthood. This book assembles an impressive list of play therapy interventions for addressing early childhood problems. It is an important resource and indispensable play therapy companion for all concerned with early childhood intervention and treatment. -- Athena A. Drewes, director of Clinical Training, Astor Services for Children and Families
For anyone who works with very young children, this book is a must! Filled with well-written and interesting chapters by key authors in the fields of play therapy and attachment, it offers theoretically sound, empirically-based, and clinically pragmatic approaches. We know that intervening earlier is likely to have the biggest impact on children's and families' lives, and this volume offers a wide range of solid approaches, enlivened by case studies. I highly recommend it! -- Risë VanFleet, Ph.D., RPT-S, President, Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center