Nursery World - Express yourself

Playing with sand allows children to work through anger or fear without having to talk about it, says Jackie Cosh, describing a novel therapy gaining ground in the UK A shallow blue sand tray, some sand, water and a vast array of miniature figures are the only tools required for sandplay therapy. Although it has been used in Australia for more than ten years, sandplay therapy is just beginning to make its mark on Britain as both therapists and practitioners realise the benefits of such a simple but effective method of counselling.

A shallow blue sand tray, some sand, water and a vast array of miniature figures are the only tools required for sandplay therapy. Although it has been used in Australia for more than ten years, sandplay therapy is just beginning to make its mark on Britain as both therapists and practitioners realise the benefits of such a simple but effective method of counselling.

The origins of sandplay go back 70 years to when HG Wells wrote about watching his two sons playing on the floor with miniature figures. Wells recognised that they were working out their problems with each other and with others. Twenty years later, English child psychotherapist Margaret Lowenfield was trying to find a way to help children express themselves.

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