“I have always loved to play with my children. I didn’t know that learning just a few extra skills could make our play so much more fun! I can tell how my son is getting more self-confident and my daughter is ‘losing it’ less often.”

“Ever since my husband and I divorced my daughter has kept her distance from me. As I learned Filial and we began our play sessions the walls began to come down. I’m so happy to have my daughter back.”

Play is such an important part of children’s lives and development, but parents and child care workers rarely realize that they can help children develop emotional and interpersonal skills by spending even 30 minutes a week playing with each child in a special way.

This workshop for parents of children aged 3-10 teaches seven skills from child-centered play therapy that can enable adults to work with children with or without problems to use play to help them develop emotional self-control and skills for effective problem solving. Based on the book, Mastering the Magic of Play, the workshop includes videos of parent-child sessions and opportunities for participants to practice play session skills.

Researched for 30 years, the seven skills taught have consistently enhanced parent-child bonds and relationships while reducing negative behaviors in children in numerous research studies. Now expanded to develop emotional intelligence, Mastering the Magic of Play brings caretakers and children closer together in delightful ways.

Mastering the Magic of Play uses simple toys that foster imaginative play in children ages 3-10. As adults join in the play as sidekicks, express understanding of children’s feelings and wishes, and set limits in ways that enable children to internalize controls, children bond more closely with them while having much fun.

Mastering the Magic of Play is especially helpful for families which have encountered separation, divorce, adoption, foster care, or the death of someone they love. The parent-child play sessions help parents “be there” to help children work through feelings through play. In the process, parent-child bonds and child behavior are improved.

It is also a great intervention for children who “live at the edge.” These are children who don’t seem quite happy, who are easily frustrated, or who are shy. Play helps these children come into their own, gaining self-confidence and joy.

And this workshop is a great beginning for children who are having serious difficulties. Filial play taught in this workshop is a research-proven therapy intervention for children who are acting out, exploding in tantrums, or socially isolated. In this case the Mastering the Magic of Play program is often extended through individual sessions.

Filial Play is taught at IDEALS of Kentucky at Saturday workshops followed by 4 evening groups. During the Saturday workshop you will learn the 7 special play techniques in role play practices. During the 4 follow up evenings you will do play sessions with your child and discuss how what happens in the playroom relates to your child’s behavior and needs.

Next scheduled workshop

• There will be a Magic of Play Workshop some time in March.  Call 502-227-0055 to be called when the exact date is set.  Workshops are held about every 3 months.  Cost for the Saturday workshop and 4 follow-up evening workshops is $45 per parent.

Workshops are held at IDEALS of Kentucky which is located  in the McClure Building #510, 306 West Main St in Frankfort.
Workshops are led by Mary Ortwein, MS, LMFT.  Mary is the author of a book about these same concepts for families in therapy, Mastering the Magic of Play a licensed marriage and family therapist, and Executive Director of IDEALS. She trains parents and professionals in this program across the country. Heather is a marriage and family therapist who works beautifully with children and parents.

To register or for more information contact admin@skillswork.org or call 502-227-0055 or 859-806-4484