Lowenfeld Sandplay Therapy Theory And Its Application In Kindergarten

Sandplay Therapy was born in Britain in 1920's, which has a long history over 70s' years. The basic factors are sand, sand tray and miniatures.Margaret Lowenfeld was the first one who utilized sand tray as a psychotherapeutic tool and brought up a new theory, which is original. Lowenfeld's tool World Technique contains one metal tray ( half-filled with sand ), water, implements for use with the sand ( such as shovels, funnels, a sieve) and a cabinet with drawers containing generous miniatures. Children can play and make a scene with miniatures in dry or wet sand. In Lowenfeld's opinion, there are two systems in human's mental: Primary Mental System and Secondary Mental System. The Secondary System is shared, logical, reasonable and uses language as its tool. The Primary System is non-rational, entirely individual and cannot be put into words. If children have appropriate materials and enough chances to play, the energy of the Primary System will find access to the out world. World Technique is such a tool. Therapist should record carefully what is done by child at each use of the material. No object and no arrangement of objects should be taken at its face value. Sandplay provides a free and protected space, and clients need no special skill or language ability. It's a suitable technique for children.Lowenfeld's World Technique was utilized and developed by many therapists from their own perspective. Dora Kalff was the most prominent one. She integrated her Jungian-based approach with what she learned from Lowenfeld, which led sandplay therapy to a different clinical direction. She named this approach Sandplay.In 1980's, Sandplay was introduced into schools in America. It was accepted widely for its important impact in academic development, psychological development, psychological diagnosis and therapy. We are practicing in kindergartens, which shows that sandplay is an effective psychotherapeutic technique. It is suitable for emotional disturbance and behavioral disturbance, and it can reduce the stresses of those children who suffer heavily psychologicalstresses. So it is significant that sandplay therapy is introduced into the preschool institutes of our country.