Parsons Counseling Training Institute

The Building Blocks of Play is a comprehensive training program designed for professionals working with early childhood clients and their families. This program focuses on integrating the six key dimensions of the Building Blocks of Play model (Touch, Move, Connect, Explore, Empower, and Partner) into play-based interventions to support young children's social-emotional well-being and mental health. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of each dimension and learn how to apply them in their work. The training also incorporates principles from Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) and Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) to enhance participants' skills in addressing common challenges parents face in setting limits, promoting secure attachments, and fostering social-emotional growth. Throughout the program, participants will be introduced to using nurturing touch, engaging movement activities, games, and collaborative play to facilitate connection and empowerment. They will also learn to use CCPT language and techniques to support clients' exploration of feelings, problem-solving skills, and self-empowerment while setting appropriate limits and partnering with parents to reduce behavioral outbursts and strengthen family relationships. By the end of the training, participants will have a basic toolkit of play-based interventions and strategies for working with early childhood clients and their families in various settings, providing a foundation for further learning and skill development in this area.

OBJECTIVES

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the 6 dimensions of the Building Blocks of Play model (Touch, Move, Connect, Explore, Empower, and Partner) and how to integrate them into play-based interventions for early childhood clients effectively.

2. Identify and discuss common reasons parents struggle with setting limits and provide strategies for addressing these challenges using the principles of Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) principles and psycho-educational options.

3. Apply knowledge and skills in working with the early childhood population and their parents using play therapy, including understanding developmental milestones, age-appropriate play-based interventions, and strategies for promoting parent-child relationships through play therapy.

4. Utilize Play Therapy techniques to increase clients' ability to form secure attachments through the use of nurturing touch and engaging movement activities, promoting emotional regulation and a sense of safety.

5. Develop proficiency in facilitating connection and social-emotional growth through games, collaborative play, and other activities that foster positive relationships and interpersonal skills in Play Therapy.

6. Discuss Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) language and techniques while setting appropriate limits using the ACT (Acknowledge, Communicate, Target) approach, ultimately partnering with parents to reduce behavioral outbursts and strengthen family relationships.

Parsons Counseling Training Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7101. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Parsons Counseling Training Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Parsons Counseling, LLC has been approved by APT as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, APT No. 17-496. Programs that do not qualify for APT credit are clearly identified. Parsons Counseling, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Cancellations with 14 or more days' notice will receive a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee. Cancellations with less than 14 days' notice will not be refunded. A 50% credit towards a future trainings may be applied at discretion  of the training coordinator. Bundled or discounted registrations are non-refundable.