The Power of Child-Led Therapy
At Valued Voices, we strongly believe that when we focus on a child’s strengths and interests, this is where all the magic happens! Rather than going into our sessions the way we think it should be, we fully embrace the child’s world of play and let the child lead!
Children always gravitate towards what they enjoy and learn best when they are interested and when we navigate our sessions in this way, it keeps them motivated and makes it meaningful for the child. The best part is that this allows us to connect most authentically with our kiddos and build a relationship on trust, connection and acceptance, which are the foundations for all things in this world!
What does child-led therapy look like?
First thing I always advise, which may sound scary to some, is…don’t go into the session with a set plan. The more flexible you are, the better your session will go. When it comes to child-led therapy, there really is no planning. You will still have a purpose for the session and guide it, just without having it all planned out. Whether you are a parent or professional reading this, this style requires more thinking on your feet, I recommend starting out slow and keep the environment stimulation free. What do I mean by this? I mean don’t have to many things out at once, so if you are in a therapy room or playroom, make sure you structure it in a way that is not distracting or too overwhelming for your child. I typically recommend having no more than 3-4 options of toys/activities available, I would always make sure that within these objects, at least half or more are preferred, familiar toys/activities, and one or two others are novel toys/activities (see this is where the planning comes in but in a very intentional, child-centered way: you are still planning the toys/activities, just not the step-by-step on what you want your child to do with it). Let go of all expectations during child-led play: don’t worry about how your child is playing or interacting, just go with their flow! Sometimes, it could be difficult to find out what a child will be interested or engaged in, so you can consider some sensory-motor play activities.
Child-Led Therapy & Safety
There is a big misconception that child-led therapy means we do whatever a child wants, and it becomes a free for all; this is absolutely not the case. First and foremost, safety is the most important thing that should be considered not only in sessions, but across all settings. If your child is doing something that is not safe, we absolutely need to set boundaries to keep them safe.
If your child is doing something that is unsafe, it is important to consider if they may be dysregulated. For example, a child may be jumping off furniture because they are seeking proprioceptive input. Click here learn more about dysregulation and sensory needs.
Child-led therapy simply means that the adult is not planning or directing the sessions, instead the child is. There are no expectations on what or how your child will do or play with, we are simply just honoring their interests, preferences and following their lead.
Advocating for a Child-Centered Approach
In the past, traditional therapy techniques have often been compliance based, so moving to a child-led therapy approach requires a big mindset shift. It is important to educate parents and professionals about the importance, functionality and meaningfulness that comes through a child-centered approach.
We know that children learn best through play and are best supported through natural, meaningful contexts; this is why when we adopt and nurture a child-centered approach, it allows us to model language and other skills, that are motivating and meaningful for the child.
A child-centered approach nurtures and grows trust, acceptance, connection and much more fun! I encourage you all to give it a try!
Want to learn more about a child-centered approach?
Book a complimentary consultation with me today or jump right into a parent coaching call where we will dive deep into your strategies to connect with your little one.
SHOLEH SHAHINFAR
M.A. CCC-SLP, RYT
Sholeh Shahinfar is the Founder of Valued Voices, a licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Child Communication Specialist and Certified Oral Motor Therapist. She is passionate about uplifting children’s voices in the world and inspiring self-expression. In her free time, Sholeh embraces a vegan lifestyle, loves going to the ocean, exploring nature with her pup Kobe, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.
