Theraplay has some simple but powerful games you can easily do at home to support your child's attachment.
For younger children peek a boo games or hide and seek for older children both facilitate the all important 'joyful discovery' of your child. This experience arouses your child's nervous system, increasing their heart rate and leading to endorphins and dopamine being released. These are feeel-good chemicals that support brain growth and your child's social brain, strengthening their attachment relationship to you.
Games like 'Simon Says' and 'Mother May I?' support children with structure and reinforce their trust in you. These kind of games, where the parent gives instructions that the child must follow, can help children who, because of their early experiences, find it difficult to trust and believe they can only rely on themselves. This is often mistaken for independence, but in fact, the child is experiencing fear.
Rhymes and songs. Singing nursery rhymes and simple songs with repetition both to and with your child, will increase a feeling of safety for them. This is due to the predictability of the song and also the feeling of connectedness you get when voices are in unison. You will be literally attuned! This is something you can do easily and there are many opportunities throughout the day such as car journeys, walks and bed time routines.
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