AZ&A
Summer 2014
FAQ
Is Floortime more than play therapy?
Yes
Dr. Stanley
Greenspan
The Greenspan
Floortime Approach is
a system developed by
the late Dr. Stanley
Greenspan. Floortime
meets children where
they are and builds
upon their strengths
and abilities through
interacting and
creating a warm
relationship. It
challenges them to go
further and to develop
who they are.
18
Play is an important ingredient of Floortime, but is
only one piece. Play awakens the emotions of joy,
excitement, curiosity that create positive
interaction and warm engagement. Through play
parents can enter a child’s world and gradually
expand it. But that is only where Floortime begins.
We all learn best through experiences that interest
us. Floortime nurtures interactions that let
children develop thinking skills and generalize
experiences. Floortime is a way to strengthen
thinking. This takes more than play.
In Floortime do I just “follow my child’s
lead?”
No
Following the child’s lead is the foundation. It
begins the relationship and engages the child.
Without this engagement it is hard, if
not impossible, to build the abilities that foster
learning. But much more needs to be built on top.
Parents have to challenge the child to expand their
world, and they have to bring in all the sensory
experiences and movement. They also need to set
limits where health and safety are concerned.