‘Need to Play’

Changing children's lives through play

Play can rewire the brain. Learn how and why from the experts.

On this page you will find many resources providing insights to why play is so important for children. We also have created a free short course, by Australia's most respected play therapy organisation, which will increase your understanding of why play is so important for children's mental well-being.

But more than that, it will motivate you to incorporate play into your world and your child's. Play can literally rewire a child's brain and help them to overcome even the most difficult life experiences. See more at www.BeCentreAcademy.org.au

Play and natural disasters

Thousands of children across Australia have been affected by the devastating impacts of climate change including bushfires, long droughts and flooding rains. Natural disasters can be extremely frightening and upsetting for children. Regardless of whether a child is impacted directly or indirectly, the experience of trauma such as a large-scale natural disaster interrupts their childhood, affecting mental health and emotional well being.

In some cases, children will present as being unaffected, but the trauma can resurface even months down the track. It is important that we provide children with a way to express their feelings by helping them process and make sense of what is happening to them so that they do not develop long term mental health issues.

Encouraging children to 'play out' their experiences is a powerful way of helping children to feel safe and express their feelings.  For most, this will help them move past the trauma.

Be Centre has put together the following Assets and Resources to help you support children who have experienced trauma as a result of natural disaster. This video made for the recent bushfires, provides an overview of why the ‘Need to Play’ is so important.

Why play?

Play is instinctive and it can tap into deep emotions, allowing greater understanding and insight. By playing it out your child is safely expressing feelings such as fear, confusion, sadness and anger.

Play can literally rewire the brain and help your child heal, manage stress and build resilience. The Need to Play Fact Sheet is an excellent tool for helping children cope with all forms of natural disasters.

If you are worried that your child is not coping and needs additional support, please contact either your GP or call Be Centre on 02 99137000.

Useful resources

Be Centre Need to Play Fact Sheet

http://childparentpsychotherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/afteracrisis_2018.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcAPbDpgoso  

https://www.savethechildren.org.au/Our-Stories/10-ways-to-help-kids-cope-in-a-crisis?_

https://headspace.org.au/young-people/how-to-cope-with-the-stress-of-natural-disasters/

Bushfire specific:

https://www.psychology.org.au/getmedia/9cd44a11-cdcd-41e6-bd13-70a704716b54/Helping-children-affected-bushfires.pdf

https://theconversation.com/babies-and-toddlers-might-not-know-theres-a-fire-but-disasters-still-take-their-toll-129699 

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/bushfire-customer-care-service