Connect Through Play: Interview with Seema Omar and Tehani Chitty 

In our heavily tech dependent world, making that basic ‘human’ connection can be a challenge, even with our own children. So what better way to lay the foundation of a close, strong relationship with our children than by connecting with them through that most limitless tool – play. 

Counsellor Seema Omar and dramatherapist and actor Tehani Chitty have joined hands to present “Connect Through Play” a series of workshops for babies, children and their parents. 

With a MA in Applied Psychology from Annamalai University, India, Seema is now in training to become a Gestalt child therapist, while Tehani is a graduate in Drama and Movement Therapy (MA) from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London. Seema has been leading parenting sessions and leading one-on-one counselling sessions with adults, children and adolescents for the last 5 years. Tehani leads group and one-on-one sessions for both children and adults. 

Seema Omar (left) and Tehani Chitty (right) 

In an exclusive interview with Life Online, Seema and Tehani talked about the idea behind, and plans for, “Connect Through Play”. 

What inspired you to start "Connect Through Play"? 

Play impacts the development of a child's brain and it helps them to learn how to regulate their emotions. We both use play in our therapeutic work with children and this led us to the idea of Connect Through Play. It is a space for parents to form a playful connection with their children in an environment where they don't need to be anxious   about their child's behaviour. 

What will the participants gain from these programmes? 

We hope that parents and children are able to strengthen their relationship and deepen positive healthy communication with each other. 

Who are the ideal participants for these programmes? 

We currently offer sessions for parents with children aged 6 -12 months and 12-24 months. 

Tell us a bit about your backgrounds and the work you do together. 

We are both therapists and we have worked together conducting therapeutic sessions and trainings and we have also worked together in theatre programmes. 

Future plans? 

We will eventually offer “Connect Through Play” for older age groups. We are also starting ‘Free Play’ sessions for children, the first of these will take place in August at Power of Plays’ Camp Kreativ for their 4 to 6 age group. These are sessions designed so that children connect with their creativity and engage with their imagination. These sessions may include drama games, storytelling, enactment, art and dance/movement. Our workshop for 6 to 12 month olds and their mothers is also available at Camp Kreativ from 8th to 10th August. 

For more details about Camp Kreativ log on to www.powerofplay.lk or call 0777274483. For more about ‘Connect Through Play’ email [email protected] for more information or to register for sessions.