Meltdowns at the grocery store. Screaming before bedtime. Sullen silences in the car on the way home from an activity that was supposed to be fun. That’s a normal part of parenting.

It becomes harder when your child is engaging in these behaviors more than is normal for their age. Even though children are verbal, they often express themselves through behaviors. There can be outward behaviors, like meltdowns, tantrums, and fights. There are also inward behaviors, like being sad often, withdrawn, or not as engaged in their favorite things as they usually are. Because behaviors are often how children communicate their experiences, these things may be a sign that a child could benefit from play therapy.