Final answer:
Play is a primary tool in group work with children aged 3 to 6, as it helps resolve the task of initiative versus guilt. Over-controlling parents can stifle a child's initiative, leading to feelings of guilt and lack of self-confidence by restricting the freedom to explore and self-initiate activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many experts in the field of counseling, such as Dinkmeyer, Keats, and Muro, value the use of play as a primary tool in group work with children, particularly in the preschool stage, which typically ranges from ages 3 to 6. According to Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, this is the phase where children resolve the task of initiative versus guilt. Through play, preschool children learn to plan and achieve goals while interacting with others, which can lead to the development of self-confidence and a sense of purpose. Without this, children may develop feelings of guilt, especially if their initiatives are stifled or misfired due to overcontrolling parenting.
Over-controlling parents may stifle a child's initiative by not allowing them the freedom to explore and engage with their environment, make decisions, or participate in self-initiated activities. Such restriction can prevent children from experiencing and learning from the necessary process of trial and error and may lead to a lack of self-confidence and autonomy.