Episode
404 | What If a Child Brings Schoolwork Into the Playroom?
- Published
- Jun 11, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 852
- Processing state
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Summary
In this episode, I answer a follow-up question about children bringing items from home into the playroom and explore a specific scenario involving a child who brings schoolwork and homework into session. I discuss why children often bring meaningful objects from their lives outside the playroom and why those items can serve important purposes, including self-soothing, safety, connection, and communication. Rather than focusing on whether an item is traditionally considered a "play therapy toy," I encourage therapists to consider the deeper significance of why the child chose to bring it and what need it may be meeting in that moment. I also share my perspective on children reading books, completing homework, or engaging in other nontraditional activities during session. When we truly trust the child and trust the process, we recognize that every choice the child makes is meaningful and necessary for their therapeutic journey. Whether a child spends the session playing, reading, coloring, doing homework, sitting quietly, or simply being present, our role remains the same: provide acceptance, reflect the child's experience, and honor their autonomy. I also discuss how to navigate parent reactions when a child's choices in session don't align with adult expectations and why setting clear expectations with parents is a critical part of supporting the therapeutic process. New Resource for Play Therapists: The Parent Companion for Play Therapy is now available at author pricing for therapists. Created specifically to help parents better understand the child-centered play therapy process, this book is designed to support parent engagement, improve buy-in, and reduce attrition throughout the therapeutic journey. As a listener of the Play Therapy Podcast, you can order a copy f…