The Role of Play in Strengthening Parent-Child Attachment After Adoption

Adoption is a journey of love, hope, and healing. For children who have experienced early disruptions, forming a secure attachment with their new caregivers takes time and intentional connection. Play offers a natural and powerful way to strengthen this relationship, creating safety, trust, and emotional closeness.

Children communicate through play in ways they may not yet express with words. For an adopted child, play can become a bridge to connection, allowing them to explore their new relationship with their parent in a way that feels safe and familiar. Whether it’s pretend play, sensory activities, or shared laughter, these moments provide opportunities to build trust and connection.

Play fosters co-regulation, helping children feel emotionally safe. Many adopted children have experienced early stress or trauma, making it difficult to regulate their emotions. Engaging in playful interactions, such as peek-a-boo, rough-and-tumble play, or calming sensory activities, helps a child attune to their parent’s presence and rhythm. These shared experiences teach the child that their caregiver is reliable, responsive, and a source of comfort.

Through play, parents can also follow their child’s lead, reinforcing a sense of security and control. Allowing a child to direct the play experience gives them autonomy while also demonstrating that the caregiver is present, attentive, and engaged. Simple games like rolling a ball back and forth or mirroring a child’s play choices can reassure them that they are seen, heard, and valued.

Play creates joyful, attachment-building experiences that don’t rely on language. A child who has difficulty expressing emotions verbally can find comfort in playful engagement, deepening the connection between parent and child. Over time, these moments of connection weave a foundation of trust, helping a child internalize the security of their new family.

The journey of attachment after adoption is unique for every family. While love is essential, it is through consistent, playful connection that trust takes root and deepens over time. Play is more than just fun—it is a language of attachment, offering children and parents a safe space to grow together, one joyful interaction at a time.

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