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Write a reply to this post. Play is the language that children speak, and it allows them to express their thoughts, feelings, and perspectives about their world. This is often done by projection onto an object (Dermer et al., 2012). Integrating play therapy with family therapy models is a powerful approach when working with families with young children. Everyone, including parents, has an inner child, and this part of them is sometimes forgotten or left behind as a result of stressors, challenges, and other experiences in their lives. When parents engage in play with their children, they create a channel of communication for the child to express themselves (Dermer et al., 2012). Play is a symbolic language that reveals deeper desires, wants, needs, and reactions. When working with families and young children, play can serve as a tool for assessment and observation of family dynamics. Gil refers to this as a window for therapists to observe process and content interactions within a family system (Dermer et al., 2012). Understanding and analyzing the family's structure, communication styles, interactional patterns, emotional connection and cohesion allows the therapist to create a systemic conceptualization and treatment plan. Furthermore, play offers a nonthreatening and indirect manner to addressing presenting problems within the family. Play involves creative thinking and the activation of the right side of the brain, which can help with new realizations of the opening. Need Assignment Help?