Istanbul Gelisim University - British play professor met with students in Turkey

British play professor met with students in Turkey

Speaking at the "International Psychology Day" organized for the first time this year at Istanbul Gelişim University (IGU) and open to wide public, the play professor Sue Jennings said: “We are trying to contribute to the development of children's health, their relationship and their ability to overcome the trauma after the moments of crisis. Although the game means having fun, it is also a tool to help learn.”

Dr. Sue Jennings, the play professor and story teller, who was a speaker at the workshop “Play Therapy and Neurodramatic Play” within the conference, said: “I am passionate about playing games with children and adults, I have studies on neurodramatic play. We are trying to contribute to the development of healthy children, to establish a relationship and to overcome the trauma after the crisis. Although the game means having fun, it is also a tool to help learn.”

“TO KEEP THIS EXPERIENCE ALIVE IS VERY IMPORTANT”

Prof. Dr. Jennings, expressing that the conference was fun, added: “My goal was to have a gaming experience. Here we blow bubbles, play with clay and create stories. And in this way they had a game experience. The important thing is not to tell them this, but to make them experience this”.

“ADULTS ALSO GAIN EXPERIENCE WITH PLAY”

Being also the founder of the neurodramatic play theory Prof. Dr. Jennings, told: “My neurodramatic theory studies stem from my life experience with a tribe in Malaysia when I was doing my dissertation. Together with my children, we stayed in a village for a year and a half. And here we saw that not only the children but also the adults experience things by playing. So this is a very important point”

“PERCEPTION STARTS IN THE WOMB”

Prof. Dr. Jennings voicing that family members should play games with their children, aslo added: “Before the formation of this theory, there was an idea that children began to develop an interactive game from the age of one. But as a result of my research, it was understood that this perception was actually in the mother's womb. Here's the communication between your mother and father. More interactive and intense games need to be played between family members and children after the child is born”.

“PATIENTS WITH DEMANTIA MUST PLAY GAMES TOO”

Prof. Dr. Jennings also carried out various studies with people with dementia. In this context, she added: “The main purpose of the play therapy with the elderly was to find or delay treatment for their memory loss. We've actually seen this therapy work. People often solve puzzles or play sudoku. However, physical movement or participation in game therapies may be more useful for the elderly.”