Contents

Project Introduction----------------------------Page 3-4

Project Team--------------------------------------Page  5-9

Project Expert Invitation----------------------Page  10

What is theraplay?------------------------------Page  11-15

The Power Of Play....................................Page   16

Theraplay Teacher Implementations----Page  17-18

Theraplay Parents Implementations ----Page  19

Filial Therapy--------------------------------------Page  20-26

Filial Therapy Application Examples------Page  27

Parent-Child Stage Fest-----------------------Page   28-32

                HEARTS GROWING TOGETHER

In today's modern life, the relationship parents establish with their children is a critical factor influencing their emotional and social development. However, due to busy work schedules, the rapid spread of technology, and other daily life challenges, healthy communication and bonds between parents and children can sometimes be neglected. This neglect can have a negative impact on children's self-esteem, confidence, and sense of worth. Among the primary functions of a family is nurturing a child into a healthy individual by meeting their physical, psychological, and social needs. Particularly during the preschool years, a child's development is significantly influenced by environmental factors. During this period, the quality of intrafamilial communication and the relationship between parents and children play a decisive role in the child's emotional and social development (Winnicott, 1988).

Filial therapy, along with therapeutic approaches such as systematic and reflective play sessions and Theraplay, supports children's emotional and social development. These approaches focus on enhancing communication between parents and children through activities they participate in together, while also addressing the emotional needs of children and forming healthy bonds. According to Bowlby, play is crucial in the parent-child relationship as it supports the child's emotional development while strengthening bonds with parents.

In this context, the project 'Growing Hearts Together' aims to assist parents in building healthier relationships with their children and strengthening their communication. Through the use of therapeutic games, filial therapy, and theraplay approaches, parents and children are encouraged to form deeper and more meaningful bonds when coming together. This project helps children meet their emotional needs, which they often require during different developmental stages. At the same time, teachers' learning and application of these principles will add a new perspective to their teaching experience. Understanding their students and responding to their emotional needs will increase teachers' therapeutic skills.

The primary goal of the project is to support children's emotional, social, and cognitive development by strengthening parents' relationships with their children. To achieve this, various workshops and training sessions are organized to introduce parents to therapeutic activities and filial therapy principles.

Expert Invitation

We would like to thank Expert Psychological Counselor Ms. Şengül İnan Gülpınar, who made an informative presentation to our parents and teachers with her seminar on Filial Therapy.

                         What is Theraplay?

Theraplay is a type of play therapy technique. In this play therapy technique, the family (mother or father) is also involved in play therapy. Theraplay's aim is to strengthen the bonds between family and child. There is no need for a special playroom for Theraplay. In this therapy, games rather than toys are at the forefront. Therefore, unlike other play therapies, therapy is performed by sitting on the floor in a plain room, not in a room full of toys. Parents are also involved in therapy.

In Theraplay, the therapist guides the parent and child through fun, challenging, emotionally nourishing games.

Over time, the therapist retreats into the background while allowing the parent to play actively with the child. Together, these games strengthen the bond between parent and child, the child begins to accept the limits from the parent and becomes open to emotional nourishment by the parent.

Games in Theraplay are in 4 different categories. These are building games, commitment games, nurturing games and challenge games. The Theraplay therapist determines which games children need more in these four categories. In other words, in Theraplay, a game and therapy plan specific to each child is created and

these games are played sequentially during the session. The therapist decides what kind of games to choose for which child using the Marschak Interaction Method. This method is a structured method developed to observe the interaction between children and their caregivers. After the first meeting, the therapist gives the child's caregiver a series of tasks to do with the child. The child and his/her caregiver perform these duties in a simple room. This process is recorded on camera. By watching this camera recording, the therapist determines which of the child's structure, struggle, nurturing and commitment games he needs more and creates the therapy plan accordingly.

        What are the Benefits of Theraplay?

Theraplay is a therapy method applied to children from infancy up to the age of 18 and even to adults. Although it is especially preferred in children with a history of attachment problems, it is a therapy method that is effective in depression, oppositional defiant disorder, anger problems, developmental delays and autism. It is also an effective method to help adopted children bond with their step-parents.