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Description:
In this workshop, the importance of supporting children’s social-emotional learning through play will be explored, particularly as it relates to early adversity. In part one, participants will learn
how children use play for communication, expression, a sense of control, and develop an increased ability to recognize and cope with strong feelings. Part two will address challenging behavior and how to set limits through play in a manner that supports social-emotional learning and the acquisition of new skills. Part three will guide participants in how to support children’s emotional self-regulation when they encounter challenging tasks Participants will learn how to set
limits while engaging children in play and how to generalize the skill throughout the day. supports self-confidence and resiliency. Powerful photo and video examples, along with case anecdotes will be shared to enhance learning. Participants will have the opportunity to practice
the play strategies through experiential exercises.
Objectives:
- State the importance of early adversity on children’s social-emotional development.
- Identify the importance of play in children’s expression and its role in social-emotional learning.
- Explain why child-initiated play is empowering, particularly for children who have experienced early adversity.
Presenter: Christian Bellissimo, MSW, LCSW, RPT™
Christian has maintained a private practice for more than 24 years, where he specializes in treating the early childhood population. He was contracted with New Jersey’s Child Protective Services for 20 years, for whom he worked with the youngest survivors of trauma, abuse, and neglect while specializing in parent-child reunification cases. Christian served as a preschool intervention specialist for a public school district in New Jersey for more than 17 years, where he provided in-class support to children experiencing social, emotional, and behavioral challenges in the classroom. Christian also served as a play therapist for a domestic violence agency in New Jersey, providing play therapy in a variety of settings, including; outpatient, a transitional program, and a crisis shelter. His work with children who lost parents and family members on September 11, 2001 was referenced in the book, “Middletown, America: One Town’s Passage from Trauma to Hope” by Gail Sheehy. Christian is committed to sharing the same skills he utilizes as a play therapist across the United States and abroad with early childhood educators and caregivers through professional development, consulting, coaching, and his online course, “Play to Grow.”
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