Dibs In Search of Self essays

Dibs In Search of Self essays In most cases, play therapy is used to observe the acts of a child. Doctor Axline used play therapy with Dibs to help him feel more comfortable. In the room she could have observed him and how he interacted with the items. If she were in her office, she might not have had any luck in helping him. The environment of a play therapy room must be familiar to the patient. The room would have to contain materials for the child to play with. The room described in the book had a sandbox, dollhouse, paints, and various other toys. The dollhouse was used to simulate Dibs home life. He could speak through the dolls without having to entirely open up. The paints let him express his feelings without having to use words. Before Dibs was in play therapy he did not have a good relationship with his parents. Doctor Axline immediately picked up on that when she met with Dibs mother. His mother identified him as being mentally retarded. Doctor Axline discovered how Dibs insensitive parents treated him when he was playing with the dollhouse. He observed that all the doors and windows on the house were closed. He began to repeatedly say No closed doors, in a harsh voice. Doctor Axline later understood that Dibs father would send him to his room and lock the door. This was Dibs punishment for not being able to act and talk like a normal child. Dibs father was very impatient with him while his mother tried her hardest to help him. When Dibs was in play therapy he had more freedom than he had at his home. Doctor Axline let him be himself without being disciplined for it. This made him open up to her. She was no longer a stranger to him. She was someone he felt that no matter when he did around h er, he would never get in trouble for doing it. This helped Dibs in becoming more open about his feelings and emotions. He was more enjoyable at home. His paren...

Shades of Meaning in Names of Colors

Shades of Meaning in Names of Colors Shades of Meaning in Names of Colors Shades of Meaning in Names of Colors By Mark Nichol A recent newspaper article about the world’s ugliest color reminded me that writers of both fiction and nonfiction can be misguided in describing colors. The article referred to a study in which researchers identified the ugliest color: opaque couchà ©. This name (the official designation in the Pantone Matching System, a printing-industry codification of colors) is French for â€Å"nontransparent layer,† a translation just as unhelpful in helping people visualize the color, which has also been- ahem- colorfully described as baby poo green. Now, having read that description, who out there can’t picture opaque couchà ©? When describing colors, it’s best to associate them with known visual stimuli- objects (especially those from the natural world) known to have that color. Artists and fashionistas may know celadon from celery, but a layperson will likely draw a blank when trying to picture a sweater dyed celadon, while easily forming an image of a celery-colored one. Likewise, emerald or mantis will resonate better with readers than a vague term such as chartreuse or teal, or one with a place designation, such as â€Å"Paris green.† Also, reconsider dated references. â€Å"Bottle green† was a useful descriptor in an era when glass containers of a distinctive green hue were ubiquitous, but the term will fall on blind eyes among younger readers. By contrast, â€Å"olive drab† is timeless, because of association with the fruit, though military combat uniforms, which used to be dyed in the color given that designation, are now generally earth toned. Also, consider how evocative a term is. Bright green, harlequin, and neon green are very similar shades, but â€Å"bright green† is lifeless, and harlequin suggests a pattern rather than a hue, but â€Å"neon green† is a vivid descriptor. For a very specific demographic, â€Å"Nickelodeon-slime green† will evoke the color of the ooze known to people who watched game shows on the Nickelodeon cable and satellite network during the 1990s, but it won’t benefit other readers. By all means, be as specific as possible in depicting colors, whether using a fictional character’s (or real-life person’s) choice of a fashion palette to provide insight into his or her personality or to convey an object’s or landscape’s appearance, but choose color descriptors carefully to enhance rather than obscure. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:The Meaning of "To a T"Top 11 Writing Apps for iOS (iPhone and iPad)Show, Don't Tell