Using Play as a Key to Unlocking the Silence for Children with Selective Mutism

Imagine being 4 and not being able to ask for a toy or snack when you attend your early years program. Selective mutism (SM) is the persistent failure to speak in specific social situations where speaking is expected. It results from intense anxiety and occurs in spite of a child’s ability to speak in other situations, like the home environment. Children with SM can have lifelong issues with being able to engage with others, speak publicly, and succeed academically. In this article, the authors propose that play is a valuable and necessary medium to meet the needs of the child with SM, foster resiliency, and promote well-being. Additionally, play provides a much-needed context to lessen the anxieties associated with being seen or heard speaking. The educator’s role is specifically assessed as an asset to meet the needs of children with SM in the early years classroom.