Play is one of the best ways to engage with children, pulling them out of emotional shutdown or misbehavior, to a place of connection and confidence. The way that children accomplish this is through pretend play such as playing doctor. If they are unable to recover by using play, children may be flooded with emotions (such as tantrums). They might lash out at others, storm around, or burst into tears at the slightest upset. Others may withdraw to their room, or shut all of their feelings down.

Have you witnessed or experienced your child (or yourself) trying to heal from emotional or physical trauma through play? Did you experience or witness the experience to be healing?