Relearning Childthink

Abstract

Therapists meeting families with young children need to understand how children think. This paper aims to help beginner family therapists regain their lost childhood fluency in the language of childthink, by reviewing the clinically relevant essentials. Six to eight year old children learn with their eyes and by doing and touching rather than by talking. Young children think concretely and have a limited vocabulary. Moral realism implies clear cut goodies and baddies. They can externalise troubles and master them assisted by heroic goodies. Their humour is visual and slapstick. Application of childthink is demonstrated with mastering allegories developed by local therapists. General principles are identified and illustrated with White's Sneaky Poo. Case vignettes illustrate other documented allegories for abdominal pain, monster taming, Fierce Fears and The Temper. Newer allegories such as Dreamy Dawdle, Tricky Itch, Slippery Mouth, Tricky Wee and Chubby Lie show promise. This paradigm has much uncharted potential.

No Small Change: Process‐Oriented Play Therapy For Children of Separating Parents

“…When the therapist uses imagery and imaginative interpretations, the child's natural ego development and healing powers can be strengthened (Linden, 2003). Heins (1988) explains how through relearning 'childthink' we can understand more about how children perceive their world, and through play create new ways for them to communicate their perceptions. A child's play reveals both the child's concerns and his/her preferred way of working with them.…”

Family therapy and soiling

“…But in treatment of soiling this is unlikely to succeed without involving the child. The therapist needs to be fluent in 'childspeak' so that ideas can appeal to young children and not marginalize them (Heins, 1988;O'Brien and Louden, 1985).…”