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The Eight Principles Of Child Psychology

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Child psychology, also called child development, is the study of the psychological processes of children and especially, how they develop as young adults and how they differ from one child to the next. It basically tend to map onto children’s physical, cognitive and social/emotional development. Psychologists attempt to make sense of every aspect of child development, including how children learn, think, interact and respond emotionally to people around them and understand emotions and their developing personalities, temperaments and skills. It also includes how individual, social and cultural factors may influence their development. Child study is of comparatively recent origin. Notable psychologists namely Sigmund Freud, Melanie Klein and …show more content…

The eight principles provide therapists to successfully communicate and observe the child and thus help the child to overcome his/her limitations and find their way back to life. First, the therapist must develop a warm, friendly relationship and good rapport with the child as soon as possible. Second, the therapist must accept the child as it is. In order for the child to feel comfortable with themselves it is imperative they must feel accepted by the therapist. Dr.Axline points out that it is essential for therapists to be cautious of their tone of voice and body language as they can significantly “add to or subtract from the degree of acceptance that is being put on the situation”. Third, the therapist establishes a feeling of permission in the relationship so that the child feels free to express his or her feeling completely. Permissiveness is interwoven with acceptance. Once the child establishes permission and feels accepted he/she will express themselves without shame or guilt. Fourth, the therapist should be alert to the feelings the child is expressing and reflects these feelings back so that the child gains insight into his/her behaviour. Fifth, the therapist should maintain a deep respect for the child’s ability to solve his own problems if given an opportunity. If a child feels respected they begin to take responsibility for themselves and as a result they get …show more content…

It chronicled Axline’s therapeutic relationship with a five-year-old boy who appeared withdrawn and uncommunicative. Dr.Axline writes from her viewpoint as a therapist, after helping Dibs. The book records the weekly play therapy sessions of Dibs with Dr.Axline and describes Dibs’ behaviour and demonstrates how Dr.Axline used reflective listening and allowed Dibs to discover himself and his responsibilities. Dr.Axlines’s style is formal and each chapter describes the play therapy session or event. The book reflects the activities of Dibs captured by Dr. Axline and how she was engaged with Dibs and her subject matter. The basic theme outlined by Dr.Axline is how play therapy can help a child psychologist to help the child who has been in isolation lead to his self-discovery. The book holds that through self-knowledge one gains valuable life experience and grows as a complete new human being. The book is important because of its contribution to play therapy. Although, it also tells the story of how Dibs goes from being thought “retarded and hostilely rejecting” to being a “brilliant boy”. “Dibs in Search of Self” is an inspirational

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