Play is the lifeblood of children. Unfortunately, many children in today’s world stay inactive or are engaged in indirect forms of play. Furthermore, children who have experienced abuse or neglect are often withdrawn from constructive play. Limited studies have explored the role of play in the lives of abused children in rehabilitation centers in the Philippines. This case study used psychoanalytic and Piaget’s cognitive theories of play to explore the role of play in the rehabilitation of children who have experienced abuse and are now in a rehabilitation center. Purposeful sampling was used to select 10 participants. Data were collected through interviews and were analyzed thematically. The emerging themes show that play helped the abused and neglected children cope with trauma and unpleasant emotions, and that play provided holistic development that included sense of self-worth, positive thinking, and cognitive, physical, creative and social skills. The study suggests the need for research-based play facilities and the employment of play therapists in the rehabilitation center.
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