Bringing Easter to the Sand Tray
The idea for the Easter Egg Hunt began when one of Emilee’s clients found an Easter Bunny figure in the Dollhouse. Excited about the holiday, her client wanted to create an Easter Egg Hunt which took place in the Sand Tray. This was a good chance to try the new, Imagine 3D feature, where they can enter a text prompt for different easter eggs. This Egg Hunt had many benefits. Emilee’s client learned to be patient while waiting for the eggs to appear and used problem-solving skills to find them. Emilee also used this as an opportunity to explore frustration with her client and how to manage it while looking for the eggs. While some eggs were harder to find, Emilee’s client stayed calm and took deep breaths, engaging in some mindfulness practices during the activity.
Encouraging Playful Expression
Play therapy is all about creativity, and Emilee’s Easter Egg Hunt was a great example of how play can also be therapeutic. By letting her client take the lead, she encouraged independence and self-expression. Instead of directing the session, Emilee practiced a non-directive approach to play and waited for her client to invite her into the play space. When invited, she talked through her actions, saying things like, “I wonder what figure I should add” or “Where do you want this figure to go?” This helped her client feel in control while also showing that help is available when needed.
Bringing Seasonal Play into Virtual Therapy
Using seasonal themes like Easter keeps therapy fun and engaging. Emilee’s experience with the Sand Tray shows how therapists can mix tradition with technology to create meaningful activities.
Want to try your own Easter-themed session? Here are some ideas inspired by Emilee’s approach:
- Set clear expectations and offer clear communication: Emilee found it helpful to engage in patience and frustration management techniques by explaining beforehand that some items might take a little time to appear. Emilee also found it beneficial to explain what item she was looking for or typing in so that her client felt engaged in the process.
- Encourage problem-solving: Emilee also encouraged her client to problem-solve independently and only offered assistance when asked, while reminding her client that help is always available.
Whether it’s an Easter Egg Hunt, a 3D dollhouse adventure, or a creative storytelling session in the Sand Tray, the goal is always the same: to make therapy a fun, safe, and expressive experience for every client.
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