WHAT THE READERS ARE SAYING

It is Sunday morning here in Australia and a friend has just begun reading Sheila’s book and had to ring me to say how “..friggin good is this…” It is reinforcing who we are, what we are doing in our teaching and how we are right in what we do. We are not psychologists but people who are trained in play-based development. We know about Winnicott, Piaget, Lowenfeld and also Kalf and Jung just to name a few . My friend and colleague read parts of your book to me and now I am about to order it. I have not heard my friend so animated and alive in such a long time. Thank you, thank you, thank you! …….. Neta -Victoria, Australia

I was delighted to come across your new book, Ms. Smith… Thank you again for an inspiring addition to the world of education. Barbara Turner, PhD, Author The Handbook of Sandplay Therapy.

This is one of the most exciting and moving educational books I have read in the past 20 years. It emerges out of considerable reflection and hands-on teaching with a wide range of children. The writer takes a developmental perspective that builds on profound symbolic and affective experiences which lead to major advances in the cognitive and social domains. Her approach combines the wisdom of the past with the latest findings from the neurosciences. The methods and suggestions outlined in the book guarantee both excitement and success for pupils and teachers alike. I recommend this book most highly.”  John Allan, PhD., Professor Emeritus, Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Author of  Inscapes of the Child's World: Jungian Counselling in Schools and Clinics.

There is a sense of treasure emerging through the case studies as the children’s voices are allowed to be heard and the sand worlds seen through a child’s eyes… Smith writes as though she were talking to you; leading you through the process of setting up the sand play classes in school and introducing you to a variety of children, whose work is followed in great detail, yet there is a sound underpinning of theory which raises this book beyond anecdotal description. Every part of the sandtray process has been carefully thought out and constructed with a specific intention; here is a careful blending of therapeutic work and academic development for each child, through the learning of basic skills in a supportive environment.  Ann Dix, Dramatherapist, Supervisor and Trainer

Smith, who is a highly experienced teacher of children with special needs, goes on to document examples of how other settings have taken and adapted the approach for their particular children’s needs. She gives clear explanations for those inspired by her approach (and who could fail to be?) wanting to offer similar opportunities, as well as providing firm theoretical underpinnings for such practice. I really hope this book is widely read and acted upon, not only by teachers working with children with special needs but those teaching over the fives, many of whom feel forced to push children into writing without their having first had appropriate scaffolding opportunities such as those provided by the author.   Jill Bennett. Red Reading Hub, Jill Bennet’s Reviews of Children’s Books.

This is a brilliant resource. The ideas within this book not only meet the educational components of the curriculum, but also help create a therapeutic space for students to express themselves. The approaches allow children to enjoy the school learning experience and provide teachers with a means to unlock their students' potential.”  Sylvia Simonyi-Elmer, Ph.D., psychotherapist, certified sandplay therapist, and senior teacher-supervisor, Kingston, Ontario

Sheila Dorothy Smith issues an invitation to all of us who work with children, especially teachers. She gently challenges us to think outside the box and use what is natural, joy-creating, meaning-making and fun— play, stories and symbols— to develop happier, calmer, more receptive and self-disciplined children. Her approach is evidence-based, well researched, practical and useful. It makes sense and it works. Try it and you may even have some fun too!  Mary Shirley-Thompson, M.A., Manager of Services, Children's Mental Health, Family, Youth and Child Services of Muskoka

Sandtray Play and Storymaking is remarkable! In the book, Sheila demonstrates the extraordinary results that can be achieved through the inclusion of psychological insight in education. Her method of creating, telling and recording sandtray worlds and stories gives children a means to express their inner thoughts and feelings, allows teachers to gain a better understanding of their students and provides the perfect platform for developing literacy skills. —Dr Allan Guggenbühl, psychologist, educationalist and Jungian analyst, University of Education of the State of Zurich

Sandtray Play and Storymaking is an exquisite book. It is a beautiful portrayal of this therapeutic modality where children, at play in their classrooms with their sandtrays and figurines, construct their own world-making stories filled with ideas, dreams and realities. During this process, a child's feelings and memories can emerge, blending fantasy and life experience.  Shadows of Sylvia Ashton-Warner, Tolkien, Bettelheim and Jung, drift through the narrative alongside the children's written versions of their creations, encouraging readers to find their own sandtrays and begin again. David Booth, Professor Emeritus, OISE, University of Toronto

I love your use of rituals of entry and exit, evaluations, the value of sensorimotor experiences, sand, minatures, play as the basis of  personal  stories and the portal into writing, reading, making friends and understanding personal space, boundaries and rules. A full and complete book!! I believe it's the failure of educators to understand those primary foundations that prevent many children from learning and achieving success.  John Allan, PhD., Professor Emeritus, Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Author of  Inscapes of the Child's World: Jungian Counselling in Schools and Clinics

--a huge eye-opener to me to what is possible to help kids to come to grips with their inner world and to give expression to it. Norm Beers, Lumiere Consulting. Windsor, UK. 

This is a well-written and stimulating book that has had rave reviews, mainly from Canada, the author’s home country. But , in my view, it is also a dangerous one. Monika Jephcott, Chief executive, Play Therapy UK