Perfectionism in the Playroom
Perfectionism in the playroom shows up in a variety of ways. But beneath the need to be perfect sits a child’s uncertainty about themselves. The key to regulating this fear and anxiety is showing the child how to come back to who they truly are.
2:07 How does perfectionism show up in play?
3:40 Anxiety is often attached to perfectionism
4:30 Within anxiety is fear
5:35 Perfectionism is the strategy the child is using to be able to manage the anxiety and fear they are experiencing inside
6:05 Noticing language around perfectionism
7:30 This may be a result of a past experience where the nervous system was activated
8:00 Perfectionism may help the child regulate when fear arises
9:00 Supporting the child in staying with themselves
10:59 How can we help the perfectionist child co-regulate?
13:20 The Setup or the Offering, a Synergetic Play Therapy tenet
14:50 The therapist as the external regulator
15:30 How can we model to children?
18:00 Teaching the child to look in
