Ask any child trauma therapist today about how they go about helping traumatized kids, and they will tell you about the importance of play therapy. As I wrote in a former piece, children are extremely resilient, and they are much better than adults at using coping skills that they are given and learn.
Unfortunately, I was not able to get therapy for my trauma until I was an adult, but I used play on my own to cope with what was happening to me. I remember spending time climbing trees with a book in my hand, and sitting there reading for hours. I consider reading play therapy. I have always loved nature and still do, and as a child I would go to the creek and catch turtles, frogs, and minnows. I had so many stuffed animals, my favorite being a monkey puppet, and I would sit for hours playing with them. I can only give the credit to God forgiving such good ways to cope.
All children, whether traumatized or not, must use play as they grow. My kids were not abused, but I introduced creative play to them when they were still in their high chairs. I am grateful for the help that children have today to grow and blossom from play, whether traumatized or not.