Research has shown that a child's social and academic success can be greatly influenced by experiences from infancy and toddlerhood. Despite this knowledge, the importance of infant mental health has only recently been recognized. This book is one of the first to present the major models of play interventions with very young children and their families. In this collection of essays by child development experts, the editors provide a comprehensive guide of the most beneficial effects of play therapy and play for the very young. --- from the publisher Reviews: Charles Schaefer does it again! In this volume he and his co-editors Kelly-Zion, McCormick, and Ohnogi expand play therapy to the young child. The collected chapter authors challenge the reader to consider their work with a stung theory and research base. The case studies provide insight into the work developed by each author. The international quality stretches the reader to understand both the meta-communication and multi-cultural qualities. It also challenges the reader to assist in the preventive work that is critically needed.
Linda Homeyer, President, Association for Play Therapy If you are working therapeutically with very young children (0 to 3), you need this book. The authors' in-depth coverage of a variety of approaches to working with infants and their parents is an invaluable contribution to the field of infant mental health. Play therapists, childcare providers, healthcare professionals, and preschool teachers, this is a resource you can't afford not to have in your professional library.
Terry Kottman, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC, Adjunct Professor, University of Northern Iowa A timely and much-needed book. There is a widespread and growing need for prevention and early intervention programs and treatment approaches to help stem the rising tide of childhood disorders. Mental health problems in early childhood are often associated with greater family distress and conflict, poor social functioning and lower academic achievement during childhood and into adulthood. This book assembles an impressive list of play therapy interventions for addressing early childhood problems. It is an important resource and indispensable play therapy companion for all concerned with early childhood intervention and treatment.
Athena Drewes, Director of Clinical Training, The Astor Home for Children For anyone who works with very young children, this book is a must! Filled with well-written and interesting chapters by key authors in the fields of play therapy and attachment, it offers theoretically sound, empirically-based, and clinically pragmatic approaches. We know that intervening earlier is likely to have the biggest impact on children's and families' lives, and this volume offers a wide range of solid approaches, enlivened by case studies. I highly recommend it!
Ris๋ VanFleet, Ph.D., RPT-S, President, Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center
Contributions by Sue Ammen; Helen Benedict; Nancy Cohen; Stefan Dombrowski; Ted Gaensbauer; Hilda Glazer; Joy Goldberger; Steve Harvey; Kim Kelsay; Beth Limberg; Toni Linder; Mirek Lojkasek; Liz Muir; Evangeline Munns; Ruth Newton; Jane Robinson; Virginia Ryan; Glenda Short; Richard Solomon; Susan Timmer and Nancy Zebel
Contents: Part I: Major Theoretical Approaches
Dynamic Play with Very Young Children
Child Centered/Non -directive Play Therapy for Very Young Children
Filial Play Therapy with Infants & Toddlers
Caregiver-toddler Play Therapy: An Attachment Based Approach
Ecosystemic Play Therapy with Infants and Toddlers and their Families
Parent-Child Attunement Therapy for Toddlers: A Behaviorally-oriented, Play-based Parent Training Model
Theraplay with 0 to 3 Year Olds Part II: Applications to Specific Populations
Situational and Story-stem Scaffolding in Psychodynamic Play Therapy with Very young Children
Play Therapy Techniques with Very Young At-risk Children in Child Care Settings
Issue-Specific Guided Play to Support Infants, Toddlers and Their Families in Healthcare Settings: Rationale and Interventions
Wait, Watch, & Wonder: Infants as Agents of change in a Play-Based Approach to Mother-Infant Psychotherapy
Transdisciplinary Play-based Intervention with Young Children with Disabilities
Dyadic Play Therapy for Homeless Parents & Children
Developmental Play Therapy for Very Young Children
Play-based Intervention for Very Young children with Autism: The P.L.A.Y Project About the Editors: Charles E. Schaefer is professor of psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is co-founder and Director Emeritus of the Association for Play Therapy Sophronia Kelly-Zion is a Licensed Clinical Social Work Supervisor and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. Currently she is employed with Judson Independent School District in San Antonio, TX where she works with elementary age at-risk students. Judy McCormick is a Play Therapist for the Health Services Executive in Limerick, Ireland. She is the past president of the Illinois Association for Play Therapy and is co-editor of the International Handbook of Play Therapy with Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Ohnogi. Akiko J. Ohnogi is a clinical psychologist and play therapist in private practice in Tokyo who specializes in treating children, adolescents, families, parent education, and multicultural issues. Dr. Ohnogi is also adjunct faculty of International Christian University. | 
