Play Therapy Helps Children to Embrace New Life

When life undergoes tremendous changes, adults might struggle to cope with the resulting stress let alone a primary school student. Seven-year-old Tong Tong was a newcomer to Hong Kong;she had to adapt to a new environment and deal with challenges resulting from her parents’ divorce. She was overwhelmed with negative emotions but didn’t know how to express herself. Fortunately, Tong Tong found an emotional outlet through play therapy and social work counselling. Gradually, she let go of her anger and embraced her new life with joy.

Tong Tong was living with her mother when her parents was going through the divorce process. As her mother was emotionally unstable and didn’t have good parenting skills, the two frequently quarrelled. Eventually, Tong Tong felt insecure and developed a fear. She was afraid to express her feelings to her mother. Coupled with the fact that she had to adapt to a new environment, she felt very stressful and accumulated heaps of negative emotions.

Through a social worker’s referral, Tong Tong participated in The Salvation Army “Love-athon” @Home. The social worker used play therapy to help Tong Tong to establish a sense of security. Over time, Tong Tong became more willing to express her emotions and share her feelings about her family and parents. On the other hand, with guidance from the social worker, Tong Tong’s mother also made efforts to adjust her parenting approach, gradually developing a closer relationship with her daughter.

The social worker tracked Tong Tong’s progress during the play therapy sessions. Previously, she would angrily kick and knock down toys, but now she understands how to embrace and care for them. Tong Tong is also developing a close friendship with a volunteer sister through the mentorship programme. All these changes serve as evidence of Tong Tong’s transformation, breaking free from an insecure life and experiencing the happiness that children deserve.

With funding from the Chest, The Salvation Army launched the three-year service, The Salvation Army “Love-athon” @Home. Through early intervention, it aims to elevate the self-esteem of children in divorced families by play therapy and mentoring. At the same time, the initiative enhances the parents’ parenting skills so that children can grow up in a positive environment.