Abstract

The attachment relationship in the parent-child dyad directly affects the child's developmental, social, and emotional growth. This first, formative relationship not only acts as the foundation from which the child relates to his or her social environment, but it also influences their self-concept, the cognitive and social capacities that are crucial in later childhood development, and ultimately how the child will respond and adapt to the world. This paper discusses one case study dealing with semi-directed, embodied symbolic play in drama therapy interventions designed to increase the quality of attachment with a mother-preschooler dyad. Intervention targeting both parent and child's abilities in perceiving, interpreting, and responding to emotional states in self and other may address some of the deficits associated with child aggression and disorders of conduct. A drama therapy model may serve parents in responding, interacting, and/or relating more sensitively to their child.