A shallow blue sand tray, some sand, water and a vast array of miniature figures are the only tools required for sandplay therapy. Although it has been used in Australia for more than ten years, sandplay therapy is just beginning to make its mark on Britain as both therapists and practitioners realise the benefits of such a simple but effective method of counselling.
The origins of sandplay go back 70 years to when HG Wells wrote about watching his two sons playing on the floor with miniature figures. Wells recognised that they were working out their problems with each other and with others. Twenty years later, English child psychotherapist Margaret Lowenfield was trying to find a way to help children express themselves.
She remembered the story, added miniature figures to a sandbox and started to play with them.
Swiss therapist Dora Kalff read about Lowenfield's work and went to London to study with her. Together they developed the idea of sandplay therapy, realising that the technique allowed for the expression of fears and of anger in children.
Today sandplay serves as a non-verbal form of therapy for children with both emotional and behavioural problems. Because words aren't necessary, it can be used to help treat a wide range of problems without the need for discussion, such as bullying, hyperactivity, low self-esteem and jealousy of siblings.
Figure it out
At the heart of sandplay is the tray, painted blue to represent the sky and the sea. It is divided into two, with one section containing dry sand and the other moist sand. An array of miniature people, animals, buildings and other figures are provided for the children to choose from. However, the therapist will often tell the child, 'Let the figure pick you'.
The therapist's role is that of a bystander; one who sits back and observes. A typical session may begin with the therapist telling the child that playing with sand often helps children who are experiencing problems.
It may be suggested to the child that the therapist sits in the corner while the child makes up a story or scene in the tray.
The child creates images in the tray, rarely requiring any encouragement.
The process of touching the sand, adding the water, and making and changing the scenes seems to induce healing.
Children use the figures and the arrangement of the sand in the box to set up a world corresponding to their inner thoughts. Working with the sand and miniatures has a different feel from the real world. The trays also help them to understand their own situation and make changes in their lives.
The therapist offers to discuss things afterwards but always takes the lead from the child. Children are never pressed to talk about problems or say why a particular scene has been created. Often the child may give the scene a title, or tell the therapist a story surrounding it.
Having some idea of what each symbol represents is a good idea, but often the meaning of the scene is fairly evident. The child may want to discuss the sand tray scene or may be quite happy simply playing with the sand and water. Over several sessions the therapist may notice changes in the type of scenes created as children begin to work out problems in their head. The process of playing with the sand and the figures brings things from the child's unconscious mind to their conscious mind.
In practice
Sandplay therapy is used mainly by trained therapists, but it can be used in an early years setting. Practitioners don't have to be trained in sandplay, although personal experience of playing with the sand is an advantage. People are often surprised at the therapeutic nature of sand.
Some therapists recommend that a separate room be set aside for sandplay in the early years setting so that children know they can return to the scenes they have created. Others advise that a separate tray be kept for each child.
The main things to remember is to ensure that a quiet space is allocated for sandplay therapy and that there is plenty of trust - that the child trusts the adult to allow them to work without intervention, and that the adult trusts the child to be able to work things out in their head, without necessarily asking for help.