[Use of role-playing in child psychotherapy and psycho-pedagogy]

Spontaneous role-playing in children stands as a contribution in generating and in improving social behaviors. Spontaneous role-playing is a part of the child's maturing process. Its characteristics: it does not follow any logical pattern; it is frequently repeated; its emotional involvement is important, without ambivalence. Educational role-playing attempts to help the child in coping with a peculiar interpersonal situation. Therapeutical role-playing may be used in helping children suffering from a definite impairment of social skills--or from any psychological or medical problem. We report an example of the use of therapeutical role-playing in a group of diabetic children suffering from disorders in interpersonal relationships arisen at the time of the onset of their physical illness.