As children grow older, they become more verbal, more logical, and often more private. So when a child seems capable of holding conversations, many parents ask:

“Wouldn’t talk therapy be more appropriate now?”

It’s a valid question. But here’s what I’ve found again and again as a play therapist:

Just because a child can talk doesn’t mean they can process deep emotions through words.

As a parent, it’s easy to question whether your child’s meltdowns, mood swings, or resistance are signs of a problem. But according to decades of research from the Gesell Institute, children’s behavior follows a predictable developmental rhythm, alternating between smooth stages (equilibrium) and turbulent ones (disequilibrium). When we understand this, we stop blaming ourselves—or our kids—and start responding with empathy and clarity.

Here’s what’s “normal” at each age—and why you don’t need to panic.

You’ve heard that play therapy helps kids—but maybe part of you still wonders, how exactly does it help?

If you’ve ever been in therapy yourself, you probably experienced something like this: You sat down with a therapist, talked about what was going on in your life, maybe explored your emotions, thoughts, patterns, or past experiences. And through that process, you gained new understanding, processed your feelings, or practiced new ways of coping.

If you’re a parent wondering how to help your child cope with big feelings, challenging behaviors, or tough life experiences, you’re not alone. It can be hard to see your child struggling and not know how to support them. That’s where play therapy comes in.

Play therapy is a way for kids to process what they’re feeling and going through—without the pressure of having to "talk it out" like adults do. Through play, children naturally express themselves, work through emotions, and develop new skills to handle life’s ups and downs. Let’s break it down so you can understand how it works and why it’s so effective.

If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated by your child’s tantrum, defiance, or that never-ending whining, you’re not alone. These moments can be overwhelming, and it’s natural to want to fix the behavior right then and there. But what if we looked at these moments not as problems to solve, but as opportunities to better understand what our child is trying to tell us?

Through a compassionate lens, we can begin to see behavior as more than just "good" or "bad." It’s a window into what’s really going on inside our child’s world—their emotions, struggles, and unmet needs. Focusing less on the behavior and more on the child beneath it can not only help resolve the issue but also strengthen your bond in a truly meaningful way.