Genesis of ideas about game therapy of emotional, volitional and communicative sphere of the child

Abstract

The article is devoted to the systematic analysis of the main directions of game therapy. Appearing in the first half of the XX century in the depths of psychoanalysis, game therapy is still considered as a means of dynamic correction of unbalanced emotional-volitional and communicative spheres of the child. It is stated that the use of play as a correctional and developmental method is in its exceptional importance for the mental development of the child. It has great potential for harmonizing the child's social relations, establishing contacts with neighboring environments, as well as internalizing social experience and representation of the inner world.

 The article considers such areas of game therapy as: game therapy used by psychoanalysis, structured game therapy, relationship building therapy, non-directive game therapy, game therapy of child-parent relationship. Particular attention is paid to the consideration of non-directive play therapy, which represents a purposeful therapeutic system, the center of which is the child as an independent person capable of self-development.

The purpose of non-directive play therapy is to help the child: become more responsible in their own actions and deeds; develop a positive self-concept; become more self-governing; learn to control yourself; develop sensitivity to the process of overcoming difficulties; develop an internal source of evaluation; find faith in yourself. It is emphasized that a necessary condition for the therapeutic growth of a child is to ensure his positive experience in the presence of an adult who understands and supports him. The basic principles of the game therapist, which form the basis of therapeutic relationships and facilitate the implementation of internal sources of growth of the child include: naturalness, unconditional approval and sensitive understanding.

The criterion for the selection of toys and play material is their ability to facilitate a wide range of creative activities of the child, expression of emotions, stimulate interest in the game; to facilitate expressive and exploratory play; allow nonverbal play. The duration of non-directive game therapy and its main stages and the main criteria for assessing the effectiveness of game therapy as a form of correction of emotional-volitional and communicative spheres of the child are described.