Choice-giving is a crucial element in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), offering children the autonomy to express themselves while developing emotional regulation and problem-solving skills. Research shows that children who experience autonomy in decision-making develop higher self-esteem and improved coping mechanisms. This fosters independence in early childhood which can lead to better emotional resilience and social adaptability later in life.
In therapeutic settings, children often struggle with feelings of powerlessness, especially those who have experienced trauma, anxiety, or behavioral challenges. By incorporating choice giving, therapists create a structured yet flexible environment where children feel heard, valued, and in control of their decisions.
Studies indicate that when children are given choices within boundaries, they exhibit greater engagement, reduced resistance, and increased willingness to participate in therapy. Beyond emotional benefits, choice giving and encouragement also play a vital role in cognitive and social development. By presenting children with options—such as selecting which toys to play with, deciding how to express their emotions, or choosing the order of activities—therapists encourage decision-making skills, critical thinking, and self-reflection.
When children feel empowered to make their own choices, they develop a sense of agency that carries over into their daily lives, strengthening their confidence and emotional well-being. By integrating choice giving into CCPT, therapists can create a nurturing and supportive space where children feel safe to explore, express, and grow. Understanding the power of this approach can help professionals refine their therapeutic techniques for more effective, long-lasting outcomes.
What Does Choice Giving Mean in Play Therapy?
Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is built on core principles that empower children to express themselves and develop autonomy in a safe environment. Among these, Choice Giving is a crucial tool that helps children feel in control, fostering emotional resilience and self-regulation. When children are given choices, they develop a sense of agency, which is essential for building confidence and independence.
Therapists practicing CCPT can use choice-giving to reinforce self-expression and decision-making skills, helping children build confidence in their abilities. This technique ensures that children feel heard and valued, fostering a sense of security, reducing anxiety, and enhancing engagement in therapy sessions.
Why Children Respond Positively to Choice Giving
Children naturally seek autonomy and control over their environment. When therapists incorporate choice-giving, they respect the child's perspective and encourage them to take ownership of their actions. Here are some key reasons why children respond positively to this approach:
Encourages Independence: Children feel more in charge of their experiences, leading to better emotional regulation.
Builds Trust: By offering choices, therapists demonstrate respect for the child's preferences, strengthening the therapeutic relationship.
Reduces Resistance: When children feel they have control, they are less likely to resist therapeutic activities.
Enhances Problem-Solving Skills: Making choices teaches children to weigh options and anticipate consequences, fostering critical thinking.
Promotes Emotional Expression: Giving choices allows children to express themselves authentically, leading to deeper therapeutic insights.
If you want to deepen your understanding of Choice Giving and Encouragement in Play Therapy, Core Wellness provides excellent courses that provide the perfect opportunity to continue education and learn new techniques.
With flexible access to on-demand courses, therapists can learn at their own pace while gaining expert insights into integrating these techniques into their practice. And for those who prefer a more interactive experience, live training sessions offer real-time engagement with industry experts.
If you want a comprehensive CCPT learning experience, you can access both live bundle and recorded bundle courses that cover everything from basics to advanced topics in Child-Centered Play Therapy. These bundles provide in-depth knowledge of the 4 pillars of CCPT, allowing therapists to build a solid foundation and expand their skills.
Therapist-Approved Methods to Integrate Encouragement Effectively
Encouragement is another foundational pillar in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), acting as a cornerstone for fostering positive behaviors and building a child's sense of self-worth. Unlike praise, which typically centers around specific outcomes or accomplishments, encouragement focuses on acknowledging a child's effort, resilience, and ongoing personal growth.
This approach helps children feel valued for their process and progress, rather than just their end results. Effective integration of encouragement in therapy can lead to enhanced self-esteem and motivation, empowering children to continue developing their emotional and social skills.
Below are some therapist-approved methods to incorporate encouragement into your therapeutic practices effectively:
Descriptive Encouragement
Rather than offering generic praise like “Good job,” descriptive encouragement focuses on specific observations to reinforce effort and intentionality. Saying, “I see how carefully you placed those blocks. You’re really focused!” helps children recognize their strengths and internalize their abilities. This method encourages self-reflection and a deeper understanding of their actions.
Reflecting Emotions
Acknowledging a child's emotions validates their experiences and helps build emotional awareness. By saying, “You seem really proud of what you created,” therapists help children connect with their feelings, reinforcing self-confidence and intrinsic motivation. This approach fosters self-expression and encourages children to recognize their emotions as valuable.
Recognizing Effort
Highlighting effort over results helps children develop resilience and a growth mindset. Statements like, “You kept trying even when it was difficult,” reinforce perseverance and problem-solving skills. Recognizing a child’s dedication rather than the final outcome fosters a sense of accomplishment and intrinsic motivation to keep going.
Encouraging Self-Evaluation
Rather than providing external validation, prompting self-reflection helps children assess their own progress and build self-awareness. Asking open-ended questions like, “How do you feel about what you just did?” empowers children to develop internal motivation and a sense of ownership over their actions.
Non-Verbal Encouragement
Supportive body language plays a crucial role in fostering a safe and encouraging environment. Nodding, smiling, and maintaining an engaged posture demonstrate attentiveness and reinforce a child’s sense of value. These non-verbal cues provide reassurance and promote a trusting therapeutic relationship.
At Core Wellness, you can find many beloved and highly experienced presenters to learn from and get similar therapeutic outcomes like Dr. Brenna Hicks, who brings her expertise as a licensed play therapist and child development specialist to equip professionals with effective therapeutic strategies. As the founder of The Kid Counselor Center in Tampa Bay, she has dedicated her career to helping children thrive through child-centered play therapy.
Through her Play Therapy Podcast, blog, and live and on-demand courses, she provides invaluable insights for therapists, social workers, psychologists, and healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their work with children and families.
Final Thoughts
Choice-giving and encouragement are essential pillars of CCPT that empower children to take control of their emotions and experiences. By integrating these techniques, therapists can create a nurturing and supportive environment that fosters growth and resilience.
Whether you prefer live interactive training or on-demand learning, Core Wellness’s specialized courses provide hands-on techniques and structured guidance to help you master critical CCPT principles. Explore our live and recorded courses and bundles to take your play therapy skills to the next level!
