Messy Play is not necessarily the answer for all children who may have experienced trauma, neglect or developmental delay. There maybe enough mess already!
Creating order can be a pressing need for some children who may feel their world has fallen apart. Model making or construction with Lego, for example, give the opportunity to build or re-build houses, shelters or safe spaces. In my work with homeless teenagers in Romania, they always painted a small house in the corner of their art-work.