Child psychology, also called child development, is the study of the psychological processes of children and especially, how they develop as young adults and how they differ from one child to the next. It basically tends to map onto children’s physical, cognitive and social/emotional development. Psychologists attempt to make sense of every aspect of child development, including how children learn, think, interact and respond emotionally to people around them and understand emotions and their developing personalities, temperaments and skills. It also includes how individual, social and cultural factors may influence their development. Child study is of comparatively recent origin. Notable psychologists namely Sigmund Freud, Melanie Klein and …show more content…
The book ‘Dibs in Search of Self’ examines the effectiveness of play therapy on a boy, Dibs. It chronicled Axline’s therapeutic relationship with a five-year-old boy who appeared withdrawn and uncommunicative. Dr. Axline writes from her viewpoint as a therapist, after helping Dibs. The book records the weekly play therapy sessions of Dibs with Dr. Axline and describes Dibs’ behaviour and demonstrates how Dr. Axline used reflective listening and allowed Dibs to discover himself and his responsibilities. Dr. Axlines’s style is formal and each chapter describes the play therapy session or event. The book reflects the activities of Dibs captured by Dr. Axline and how she was engaged with Dibs and her subject matter. The basic theme outlined by Dr. Axline is how play therapy can help a child psychologist to help the child who has been in isolation lead to his self-discovery. The book holds that through self-knowledge one gains valuable life experience and grows as a complete new human being. The book is important because of its contribution to play therapy. Although, it also tells the story of how Dibs goes from being thought “retarded and hostilely rejecting” to being a “brilliant boy”. “Dibs in Search of Self” is an inspirational …show more content…
In the book Dibs in Search of Self, Virginia M,Axline brings forth that it is very important to pay attention to the psychology of children in today’s world and they should be supported emotionally and mentally by their parents. She also portrays the way in which the play therapy sessions should be conducted. The play therapy session depends both on the therapist and the child and that every moment and step during the session is essential for child. The book is an educational and heart- warming therapeutic tale of child psychology. Dr. Axline maintains her emotional distance from Dibs but understand him with patience and helps him to be confident, responsible and