Healthy Attachments and Neuro-Dramatic-Play - 9781849050142

In this book. Sue Jennings describes her groundbreaking theory of Neuro-Dramatic-Play. According to this theory, the foundation for a secure attachment is formed by a mother's playfulness with her baby during pregnancy and the first six months of life. Highly recommended!'-Charles E. Schaefer, Ph.D. RPT-S. Professor Emeritus, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck., NJ, and Co-founder and Director of the Association for Play Therapy. Clovis, CA

Breaking new ground in the areas of attachment and child development. Sue Jennings introduces the concept of `Neuro-Dramatic-Play'. exploring the sensory experiences that take place between mother and child during pregnancy and the first few months after birth. She explains how this interaction, which is essentially `dramatic' in nature, is of crucial importance for the infant to develop a healthy brain, strong attachments and future resilience.

Based on sound experience and observation, this book consolidates current theories of neuroscience, attachment and therapeutic intervention, and challenges commonly-held psychoanalytic ideas of child development. By expanding on the often narrow view of what is understood by attachment, this book makes a strong case for early years inclusion of play and arts therapies. Neuro-Dramatic-Play is also discussed in relation to fostering and adoption, teenagers and young adults, and children with developmental or cognitive disabilities.

This accessible text will interest all therapists and practitioners who work with children and teenagers, including child psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers, paediatric and perinatal nurses, paediatricians, child psychiatrists and play and arts therapists, and post-graduate students.