‘One a Penny, Two a Penny…’
A weekly personal update from Dr Sue
An update on my progress through the week!
I arrived home from the Jungle NDP at midnight, pitch dark but a little light from the street lamps. The house was an ice box as someone had unwittingly turned off the heating. Usually, I stay up for a while after a trip and at least put on the washing machine, and brew a strong cup of tea. Not this time; I went to bed in my clothes, and surprisingly fell asleep immediately. I slept until 4 am and then dozed until first light. Although rain was forecast, today proved to be a sunny day.
The most joyous sight was the deep purple blossom of the lilac trees in the front and back gardens, with that heady scent that almost sticks to you.
Lots of post greeted me, which I think falls into three categories: ‘junk’ to be disposed of immediately, ‘expected’ which is reminders, nudges, confirmations and avoidances, and ‘surprises’ which can be positive or negative! Today was all positive as my copy arrived of my book Managing Social Anxiety in Children and Young People, translated into Spanish. This is my first Spanish translation, although there are my books in Russian, Greek, Korean, Hebrew, Swedish and Chinese. The sound of the Spanish words seem much more poetic than the English ones: La Gestion de Ansiedad Social En Ninos Y Adolescentes – do you agree?
I am reflecting in greater depth on the place of sand play and sand tray in relation to Neuro-Dramatic-Play.
It is mainly viewed as a projective technique through which a client tells a life story or creates an imagined story. It can be pursued in its own right or as part of Play Therapy. It can be used by teachers and counsellors as well as parents. Although Margret Lowenfeld is often hailed as the originator of sand play through her ‘World Technique’, H.G. Wells was a great influence on her ideas with his ‘floor games’ that he developed with his own children. The book about H.G. Wells called Floor Games: A Father’s Account of Play And its Legacy of Healing, edited by Barbara A. Turner arrived last week, and it makes avid reading. There is more about Wells’ pioneering work in the next Substack.
Oh No! I rounded off the week by developing a temperature and aches and pains. I should have been expecting it, as I am prone to ‘Flying Sickness’. I easily pick up an infection on the journey home. So, two days of writing thwarted. Well dosed up on Lemsip and warm layers. Early nights with some light reading needed!
With Love,
Dr Sue xxx