The Importance of Emotional Wellness in Children
Emotional wellness refers to maintaining a healthy balance of emotions, being aware of them, understanding them, and effectively managing them to achieve solid emotional health. For children, emotional wellness is crucial as it plays a significant role in their overall well-being. An emotionally healthy child can navigate life's challenges, perform well in school, and form meaningful connections with others.
Emotional Wellness and Academic Performance
A child's emotional state can significantly impact their performance in school. Imagine a child dealing with unresolved anger issues. If they cannot cope properly with their emotions, they might struggle to focus in class or find it challenging to work with their teachers and peers. This can have a negative impact on their grades.
A study conducted in 2010 involving 325 five-year-old children investigated how a child's ability to manage their emotions, also known as emotional regulation, affects their academic performance when they start kindergarten. The researchers found that teachers reported that children who were better at managing their emotions performed well in school. This was also reflected in their actual scores for literacy and math tests.
Emotional Wellness and Relationships
The ability to handle emotions is not only essential for academic success but also for building and maintaining relationships. Children who have strong emotional regulation skills can express their feelings and needs effectively, which helps them become better communicators.
A research article published in 2023 explored how well children aged 4 to 6 can manage their emotions and how this relates to their relationships with other children. The study found that children who had good emotional regulation skills had better relationships with their peers. These children were calmer, looked for pro-social solutions in response to conflicts, and did not engage in harmful behaviors. As a result, they were more liked by others.
Emotional Wellness and Recognizing What You Can Control
One crucial aspect of emotional wellness is recognizing what you can control and letting go of things beyond your control. This skill can help children better manage their emotions and cope with challenging situations. For example, when a child receives harsh criticism from others, they can recognize that they cannot control other people's tone or delivery of the criticism. This realization allows them to choose not to dwell on the harsh words and instead focus on responding calmly.
To help children understand this concept, the Circle of Control can be introduced. The Circle of Control allows children to visualize and categorize aspects of life into three categories: things they can control, things they can influence, and things they cannot control. By understanding and accepting that they have control over their thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors, children can better manage their emotions and let go of unnecessary worry.
The Circle of Control is divided into three circles:
Circle of Control: The innermost circle represents the areas of life that children have direct control over, such as their thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors.
Circle
of Influence: The middle circle comprises aspects of life that children may not
have direct control over but can influence to some extent. Examples include
other people's opinions and actions, school friendships, and family
relationships.
Circle
of Concern: This outer circle includes things that children might worry about
but are beyond their control. Examples include the weather, natural events, or
other people's health.
Teaching children about the Circle of Control helps them understand that it's okay to feel different emotions and that they have control over how they cope with these feelings. It also promotes acceptance and the ability to let go of unnecessary worry.
The Benefits of Art Therapy for Children
Art therapy is a therapeutic approach that utilizes creative processes and artistic expression to help individuals explore and understand their emotions, thoughts, and experiences. When it comes to children, art therapy can be particularly beneficial as it supports their emotional well-being and helps them cope with emotional difficulties. Art therapists, who are specially trained in this approach, can guide children through the process, allowing them to learn and understand their feelings that they may struggle to express in words.
Art therapy is used to support children who experience a range of emotional difficulties, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, and low self-esteem. It can also be implemented at home or school to help children understand their emotions and connect with them on a deeper level.
Understanding Different Art Therapy Techniques
Art therapy involves the use of various mediums to engage children in the therapeutic process. Here are some of the most commonly used techniques in art therapy for children:
Drawing and Coloring
Drawing and coloring are familiar activities for most children, making them easily accessible for art therapy purposes. Children can doodle, sketch, or color mandalas to express and alleviate stress or anxiety. These activities can be done anytime and anywhere, requiring only drawing or coloring materials and a blank paper.
A study conducted in 2015 investigated the effect of two types of coloring activities on children's test anxiety. One group was assigned to mandala coloring, while the other group engaged in free coloring. The results showed that both groups experienced a decrease in anxiety. Boys experienced a higher reduction in anxiety during the free coloring activity, while girls experienced decreased anxiety during the mandala coloring activity. This suggests that children can be given a choice in selecting the art activity that resonates with them.
Painting
Painting is another powerful art therapy technique that allows children to visually express themselves. By applying pigments, such as oil, acrylic, or watercolor, to a surface like canvas, paper, wood, or fabric, children can tell stories, convey their emotions, or communicate their ideas.
A study conducted in 2017 examined how painting sessions could help children with cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy cope with depression. The study included children aged 7 to 12 years old, and the results showed that those who participated in painting sessions had significantly lower scores in depression. Painting can serve as a therapeutic outlet for children to cope with negative emotions, promote relaxation, and boost their confidence through a sense of achievement.
Sculpting
Sculpting involves creating three-dimensional objects or forms using materials such as clay. Compared to drawing or painting, sculpting adds depth and allows children to manipulate the material directly. This tactile experience can help children express their emotions and release pent-up feelings.
The Journal of the American Art Therapy Association published a review that highlighted the therapeutic benefits of working with clay. Using their hands to work with clay can help children express emotions and release them through the process of sculpting. It can also represent thoughts or emotions, allowing for the creation of symbols that hold personal meaning.
Collage-Making
Creating collages is a unique artistic endeavor that entails the fusion and adhering of diverse elements, including photographs, snippets from magazines, fabric, and assorted objects, onto a given surface. This technique allows children to be flexible and creative, as they have a wide range of materials to choose from. Collage-making can serve as a form of therapy because it encourages children to select materials that resonate with them and create a piece that reflects their thoughts and emotions.
Exploring 10 Innovative Art Therapy Exercises to Foster Emotional Wellbeing
Implementing art therapy activities at home or in school can be a valuable addition to children's daily routines. These activities provide opportunities for children to gain insight into their thoughts and emotions, helping them learn about their emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Here are ten art therapy activities for children that promote emotional wellness:
1. Feeling Faces Drawings
Feeling faces drawings are simple art activities that allow children to express and learn about emotions. All you need is paper, drawing and coloring materials, and a mirror. Start by teaching children about different emotions, either by showing them pictures or demonstrating facial expressions. Use a mirror to practice different expressions and point out the changes in the face for each emotion. On paper, guide the child to draw faces expressing different emotions and label each one. Encourage them to draw faces that represent their own big emotions.
2. Mindful Coloring
Mindful coloring is a practice that combines art and mindfulness. Select coloring books featuring mandalas or other intricate designs and provide coloring materials. Instruct the child to choose a page from the book that appeals to them and take a few deep breaths to release tension before starting. Encourage them to focus on the present moment while coloring, paying attention to the sensation of the pencil in their hand, the texture of the paper, and the movement of the pencil. This activity helps children develop mindfulness and relaxation skills.
3. Expressive Self-Portrait
Creating an expressive self-portrait allows children to reflect on their emotions. Provide a mirror or reference photo, drawing or painting materials, and paper or canvas. Position the child in front of the mirror so they can observe their facial features and emotions. Ask them to start with a rough sketch of their face, focusing on conveying their emotions rather than achieving perfection. Once the sketch is complete, encourage them to add color to the portrait that represents their mood. This activity promotes self-reflection and self-expression.
4. Emotion Collage
Emotion collage is an art activity that helps children express their feelings using images. Gather magazines or printed images, scissors, glue, and sturdy paper. Encourage the child to flip through the images and cut out those that resonate with their emotions. Then, ask them to arrange and glue the images onto the paper to recreate the emotion they are feeling. They can also add personal touches by drawing additional elements or writing words that reflect their feelings. This activity allows children to explore their emotions visually and encourages self-expression.
5. Gratitude Journal
A gratitude journal is a personal notebook where children can write down what they are thankful for. This practice promotes a positive mindset by acknowledging the positive aspects of life, even in the face of challenges. To combine creative expression and gratitude, children can create gratitude collages, draw expressions of gratitude, or incorporate art into their journal entries. Establish a regular journaling routine, whether daily or weekly, to help children cultivate a positive outlook.
6. Guided Imagery Drawing
Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that uses mental imagery to promote calmness. Guide the child through a series of spoken suggestions that encourage them to imagine specific scenes or sensations. After the guided imagery experience, ask the child to put their visualization onto paper through drawing. Prompt them to choose colors that best convey the emotions they experienced during the guided imagery. This activity allows children to express their imagination, emotions, and thoughts visually.
7. Affirmation Stones
Affirmation stones are small rocks personalized with empowering messages. These stones serve as reminders of positive thoughts for children. Provide smooth stones, painting materials, and positive affirmations. Ask the child to write affirmations such as "I am loved" or "I am strong" on a clean stone. They can also add symbols, drawings, or decorations to personalize the stones. Reflecting on the affirmations and using the stones as positive reminders can support children's emotional well-being.
8. Emotion Masks
Emotion masks are a creative art therapy activity that allows children to design masks to explore their emotions. Masks can serve as tools to help children understand, communicate, and cope with their feelings. Provide plain masks and art supplies. Ask the child to choose one or more emotions they want to express on their masks and decorate them using colors, shapes, and symbols. Encourage them to express themselves freely and create masks that represent their unique emotional expressions.
9. Positive Word Cloud
A positive word cloud visualizes words related to positive emotions and affirmations arranged in a cloud-like formation. This activity helps children practice positive thinking. Provide a sheet of paper and art materials. Start by having a brainstorming session to generate positive words. Ask the child to think of words that make them feel happy, loved, and confident. Then, have them write a central word in the center of the paper, such as "happiness" or "positivity." Around the central word, ask them to write other positive words in a cloud-like formation. Encourage them to express their creativity using different colors, shapes, and illustrations.
10. Clay Creations
Working with clay can be a therapeutic activity for children experiencing intense emotions. The focus of this activity is on the process rather than the final product. Provide clay and sculpting tools. Encourage the child to think about their feelings and select colors and shapes that represent their emotions. Let them freely sculpt the clay, creating objects, characters, or abstract shapes. As clay is a tactile material, ask them to feel the texture of the clay and enjoy the sensory experience. This activity allows children to express their emotions through the creation of tangible forms.
Guidelines for Applying Art Therapy to Enhance Emotional Wellbeing
When implementing art therapy activities for children, consider the following tips to create a supportive and enriching environment:
1. Begin by discussing emotions with children to help them recognize and label different emotions they may be experiencing. This establishes an emotional vocabulary for expressing feelings and promotes emotional intelligence.
2. Provide a safe and non-judgmental space for children to express themselves through art. Encourage open conversation and reflection after each activity to help children process their emotions and make connections between their artwork and real-life experiences.
3. Tailor art therapy activities to each child's interests and preferences. Offer a variety of mediums and techniques to cater to different artistic styles and preferences.
4. Encourage children to enjoy the process of creating art rather than focusing solely on the end result. Remind them that there is no right or wrong way to create art and that self-expression is key.
5. Be patient and supportive. Some children may find it challenging to express their emotions through art initially. Offer guidance and encouragement, but also respect their autonomy and allow them to explore their emotions at their own pace.
Art therapy can be a powerful tool for supporting children's emotional wellness. Through creative expression, children can gain a deeper understanding of their emotions, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and foster a sense of self-awareness and resilience. By incorporating art therapy activities into their daily routines, parents and educators can provide children with valuable tools for emotional growth and well-being.