This practical guide shows parents how to build positive, nurturing parent–child relationships through the power of play.

For nearly 25 years, Dr. Kim Van Dusen—a licensed family therapist, registered play therapist, creator of The Parentologist blog, and mom of two—has provided parents with practical, effective ways to transform their parent–child communication by learning to speak in a way kids can understand: the universal language of play. In this pioneering guide, Dr. Kim shares her solution–focused strategies designed to meet kids where they are and elicit positive behaviors.

Covering everything from cooperation to healthy boundaries, Dr. Kim offers straightforward how-to prompts, step–by–step instructions, and creative ideas for engaging games. Suggestions include making chores fun by hopping on one foot while taking out the trash, or pretending the floor is lava to get your little one out the door in record time. With the perfect balance of expert-level parenting advice and personal experiences from the author’s own experience with motherhood, Parenting Through Play is a much-needed toolkit of evidence–based resources and fun, proactive solutions for every parent and child to thrive.