Klein's Early Work on Child Analysis

Klein's early work on child analysis focused on understanding children's inner world by observing their play and interactions. She viewed play as a window into their thoughts, feelings, and unconscious conflicts, similar to how adults’ dreams reveal their inner lives. Klein believed that children’s play and fantasies could reveal their fears and anxieties, allowing therapists to help them work through emotional struggles. Her approach emphasized the importance of approaching children with sensitivity and seeing them as active participants in their own psychological development. This work laid the groundwork for modern child psychotherapy, emphasizing early emotional experiences’ impact on later development.