This study was carried out for the purpose of examining the effects of the group play therapy with sand tray program on self-esteem of children in low-income family. The research problem aimed to examine, first, the effect on self-esteem of children i...
This study was carried out for the purpose of examining the effects of the group play therapy with sand tray program on self-esteem of children in low-income family. The research problem aimed to examine, first, the effect on self-esteem of children in low-income family, and second, a change in verbal expression and nonverbal expression by session. The research subjects are 3 children in fully 12~13 years old, who showed the lowest score, by carrying out self-esteem scale after being commissioned by homeroom teacher, as children who are using the community child center for S Social Welfare Center in Daegu Metropolitan City. The objective of therapy by phase in program was set for self-exploration, self-understanding, self-rediscovery, experience of competence, and positive future design. One session is totally 60 minutes with 25 minutes for sand-tray making, 25minutes for story sharing, and 10minutes for photo shooting and sand-tray arranging. Totally 12 sessions were progressed by once a week. To examine effects of the group play therapy with sand tray program, it compared score by using the self-esteem scale before and after carrying out the group play therapy with sand tray, and analyzed qualitatively by session the verbal•nonverbal expression that children show given the group play therapy with sand tray. The results of this study are as follows: First, the group play therapy with sand tray program enhanced self-esteem of children in low-income family. The score in all of 3children was improve dint he self-esteem scale. Second, the more progression in session led to a change into the higher verbal expression and nonverbal expression from the verbal expression and nonverbal expression in children with low self-esteem. This is a case study targeting 3 children, thereby having limitation in generalizing the findings. However, the group play therapy with sand tray program can be known to offer an opportunity of newly recognizing own positive image by reducing a sense of resistance of children in low-income family, and to have been effective for improving self-esteem with experiencing acceptance and support.