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This article considers a new therapeutic approach to children's conflicts. It is based on the concept that regression is helpful in the treatment of the emotionally disturbed child. The technique itself, which is called “The Age Game,” was conceived spontaneously by one of the authors in response to her own children's complaints about being ages four and five, respectively. She was fascinated by their verbalized wish to be babies.
”Okay,” she said, “let's play a game. You can be any age that pleases you, but you must be that age and if you want to be a baby, you must play like you are a baby. If you do anything which is not what a baby does, you are out.”
The older child said that she would very much indeed like to be an infant.
”Okay,” said mother, “come cuddle in my arms and we'll make believe that you are an infant.”
The child sat down on her mother's lap, cuddled up and said, “I am a baby only two weeks old.”
”Oh, what a darling baby! You are just lovely. How are you, baby?”
”Fine,” replied the five year old child, at which point, of course, it was explained that two-week-old babies cannot talk. They probably could coo and they might smile, but they just couldn't talk.
The game was used for a number of years as a diversion when moods seemed to need a little cheering. After a time the children realized how good it was to be their own true age.
This suggested a therapy of re-enactment of early wishes in