Providing toys and the opportunity to play is an important strategy for school social workers to use in building relationships with young clients because ...

• A. It allows children to escape from their problems
• B. It puts children at ease and can provide important revelations about the child's feelings and experiences
• C. It gives the child a sense of what a "normal" home is like
• D. It stimulates the child's creativity and allows him or her to build self-esteem

Answer: (B)

Play helps children feel at ease and reveals their feelings, which is essential for building trust and gathering accurate information. When kids have access to toys and pretend scenarios, they express emotions, memories, and worries they might not be able to articulate with words alone. This nonverbal and concrete expression lets the school social worker observe how the child relates to others, what themes surface in their experiences, and where support is most needed, forming a solid foundation for rapport and assessment. While play can foster creativity and self-esteem, the primary value here is the ease it provides and the insights it yields into the child’s inner world.