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Ms. Richard’s Classroom Edit display name

  • Neff Elementary School
  • Houston, TX
  • Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

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Mental health professionals have observed that play is as important to human happiness and well-being as love and work (Schaefer, 1993). Some of the greatest thinkers of all time, including Aristotle and Plato, have reflected on why play is so fundamental in our lives. Because play is how children communicate, I am able to assist my students in navigating their big feelings through play and art therapy, and it has shown to be very successful in the past year. So many of my students begin our meetings closed off, quiet, and guarded, but as soon as I pull out some play-doh, markers, or a board game of their choice, they begin to open up and grow comfortable with me. We can break down barriers, walls, and insecurities through play, books, and art. Various approaches to play can open a child's creativity and critical thinking, and in turn, help to uncover underlying needs while creating a bond between the child and myself. When I have the necessary play items, I can do my counseling job effectively and help a child who may never get the help and care they so desperately require. With your donations, I will be able to purchase social and emotional children's books that show characters who look like my students and are experiencing similar hardships. I also plan to purchase art supplies where we can do more than color on computer paper with crayons, but actually create something; by building or creating a long term goal. Lastly, I would like to buy games that are not only fun, but encourage the students to think critically and uncover their emotions and the sources of their big feelings. With the minimum, I have been able to reach students, but the possibilities seem endless with the maximum.

About my class

Mental health professionals have observed that play is as important to human happiness and well-being as love and work (Schaefer, 1993). Some of the greatest thinkers of all time, including Aristotle and Plato, have reflected on why play is so fundamental in our lives. Because play is how children communicate, I am able to assist my students in navigating their big feelings through play and art therapy, and it has shown to be very successful in the past year. So many of my students begin our meetings closed off, quiet, and guarded, but as soon as I pull out some play-doh, markers, or a board game of their choice, they begin to open up and grow comfortable with me. We can break down barriers, walls, and insecurities through play, books, and art. Various approaches to play can open a child's creativity and critical thinking, and in turn, help to uncover underlying needs while creating a bond between the child and myself. When I have the necessary play items, I can do my counseling job effectively and help a child who may never get the help and care they so desperately require. With your donations, I will be able to purchase social and emotional children's books that show characters who look like my students and are experiencing similar hardships. I also plan to purchase art supplies where we can do more than color on computer paper with crayons, but actually create something; by building or creating a long term goal. Lastly, I would like to buy games that are not only fun, but encourage the students to think critically and uncover their emotions and the sources of their big feelings. With the minimum, I have been able to reach students, but the possibilities seem endless with the maximum.

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About my class

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