Sandtray can be utilized in both directive and non-directive clinical  clinician, can be focused on client goals from the agreed-upon treatment plan. Once the client has completed the sandtray, the client emotionally processes their completed tray and their unique experience. Over time, the clinician and client recognize possible themes together. The sandtray           


Developmental Stages and Sandtray Therapy Sandtray is a method that can be used across the lifespan in play therapy  it is important to examine developmental stages in relation to sandtray  ranges from infancy/early childhood to later maturity as task indicators. Clinicians can see these tasks demonstrated across the lifespan with individuals, couples, families, and groups in the sandtray.


Infant/Early Childhood – 0-5 years  and understanding physical and social realities. Generally, children in this age group experience the sandtray in play therapy with great wonder    noises. When working with this age group, keeping the sand in the tray might be a challenge for the child.


  children is the use of sand. If a client is likely to put the sand in their mouth, crushed corn meal or another non-toxic and allergy sensitive alternative might be appropriate. Other alternative options include crushed/blended cheerios, light brown sugar, sprinkles, birdseeds, and rice. Children ages 3   2022). Children 3-5 years are likely to gravitate to family, farm, and house miniatures, and children 0-3 years choose babies, parents, mothers, and  & Simpson, 2013, as cited in Homeyer & Lyles, 2022).


Middle Childhood – 6-12 years Children in this age group are more concrete and logical, therefore the sandtray will likely begin to include bodies of water, roads, trees,                 Developing a conscience, morality, and a scale of values is the task      while they complete their trays. This age group may also gravitate to symbols of peers and family. In the sandtray, boys may display more


CLINICAL EDITOR’S COMMENTS:


 clients of all ages toward healing.


 challenges. Elementary-aged children typically use the whole tray and  be more resistant to therapy and may need a safe relationship more  2015).


Middle Childhood Tray


Adolescence – 13-18 years In adolescence,


the individual begins to explore identity roles


     relationships are noted in the sandtray as individuals begin to group  separate with clearer and more coordinated destinations. Lone miniatures may also be used by adolescents. Through the sandtray process,


adolescent clients can develop self-esteem, express


their emotions, increase awareness of self, and work through their challenges. Sandtray therapy can facilitate adolescents who may be nonverbal and/or tense and anxious. Therapists can consider introducing sandtray to adolescents as a type of therapy suited to   expressing themselves verbally, sandtray creates a happy medium          provided the opportunity to create their own miniatures that they can  


www.a4pt.org | December 2022 | PLAYTHERAPY | 31


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44