Hidden Feelings Activity
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You can introduce the activity by stating that there are some feelings that we may be more comfortable showing the world like happiness, sadness, and frustration. Then there are other feelings that we may be less comfortable showing others like embarrassment, shame, and anger. Have the child paint their interpretation of the feelings they are comfortable showing others on the front of the mask and their more uncomfortable feelings on the inside. Then they can decorate both sides if they want to.
There may be some opportunities in which the child may wish to share what they are painting. Try to only ask open ended questions like "tell me about your painting?" or "what are some healthy ways that you can express your uncomfortable feelings?". Make sure the child knows that they only share what they are comfortable sharing with you.
While talking about healthy ways to express uncomfortable feelings, you may have an opportunity for a conversation on what type of supports the child may have to talk about their feelings with. If the child is struggling to think of ideas you could help them brainstorm. Some supports may be: a caregiver, a parent, a teacher, a counsellor, a friend, or a relative. If the child is unable to come up with people in their daily lives that they can go to for support with difficult issues then it can be helpful to have a couple local resources available to provide to the child (i.e. a kids help phone line or a children's mental health resource website.
Using the Hidden Feelings Activity with a Group: I have used this activity in a group setting and the way it works best is to have as much adult support in the room as possible. It worked well with a ratio of 1 adult per 2-3 children, this way the children have enough support around if they feel like sharing about their artwork.
There may be some opportunities in which the child may wish to share what they are painting. Try to only ask open ended questions like "tell me about your painting?" or "what are some healthy ways that you can express your uncomfortable feelings?". Make sure the child knows that they only share what they are comfortable sharing with you.
While talking about healthy ways to express uncomfortable feelings, you may have an opportunity for a conversation on what type of supports the child may have to talk about their feelings with. If the child is struggling to think of ideas you could help them brainstorm. Some supports may be: a caregiver, a parent, a teacher, a counsellor, a friend, or a relative. If the child is unable to come up with people in their daily lives that they can go to for support with difficult issues then it can be helpful to have a couple local resources available to provide to the child (i.e. a kids help phone line or a children's mental health resource website.
Using the Hidden Feelings Activity with a Group: I have used this activity in a group setting and the way it works best is to have as much adult support in the room as possible. It worked well with a ratio of 1 adult per 2-3 children, this way the children have enough support around if they feel like sharing about their artwork.
Safe Place Diorama
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Suggested Materials:
Sometimes we don’t want to be where we are, we don’t want to be doing what we are doing, we may be having some unhelpful thoughts, or we may be going through a difficult situation. One thing that I have found helpful is to, even if just for a moment, go into my “Safe Place” in my mind. It can have a calming effect to think of some of the things that make me feel safe and calm. This is also a grounding mindful activity by involving all the senses and having the child focus on what help calm them. This diorama can later be used by the child to self-soothe when they are feeling anxious, angry, sad, or any other feeling they may find overwhelming. As you do this activity with the child(dren) try to ask them when it might be helpful to "go to their safe place" in their mind. |
When I use this activity, I explain that it is helpful if a Safe Place has 5 things that engage all our senses:
My safe place is a wooded forest with a snowy holiday village I can go to. It sounds like calming spa music. My cat, Spike, is there and he is so soft to touch. It smells like lavender because that smell helps to calm me. For taste, the trees grow Wild Berry Skittles because those are my favorite!
The point of the activity is to have a momentary reprieve from a difficult situation, to remember joy, and to feel calmed by grounding ourselves in our senses. It also helps you to get to know the child more; what is important to them and what helps to calm them down? If you are not the caregiver of this child, it can be helpful to share the information about what would help soothe the child during difficult situations (i.e. certain smells or sounds). Remember that it is important to get the permission of the child to share this information with their caregiver especially if you are a counsellor.
Using this Safe Place Diorama Activity with a Group:
Follow the above instructions but tailor the activity to fit your particular group. If the group covers grief and loss, you could ask all the children to make their diorama about their favorite memory with their loved one who has died. If it is a group about self-esteem, you could ask them to make their diorama about a time they felt proud. The possibilities are endless! Remember that not all children will want to do this activity or they may have a completely different idea of what they want to make for their diorama. Give them the freedom to do so. It is important to give space for those who may want to express their thought and feelings in different ways.
- Sight: beautiful scenery that the child feels most calm in
- Sound: a sound (i.e. waves or birds chirping) or certain music
- Touch: something that feels pleasing to the child; perhaps something soft and soothing
- Smell: a smell that soothes them
- Taste: ask them to think of the most delicious food they want there
My safe place is a wooded forest with a snowy holiday village I can go to. It sounds like calming spa music. My cat, Spike, is there and he is so soft to touch. It smells like lavender because that smell helps to calm me. For taste, the trees grow Wild Berry Skittles because those are my favorite!
The point of the activity is to have a momentary reprieve from a difficult situation, to remember joy, and to feel calmed by grounding ourselves in our senses. It also helps you to get to know the child more; what is important to them and what helps to calm them down? If you are not the caregiver of this child, it can be helpful to share the information about what would help soothe the child during difficult situations (i.e. certain smells or sounds). Remember that it is important to get the permission of the child to share this information with their caregiver especially if you are a counsellor.
Using this Safe Place Diorama Activity with a Group:
Follow the above instructions but tailor the activity to fit your particular group. If the group covers grief and loss, you could ask all the children to make their diorama about their favorite memory with their loved one who has died. If it is a group about self-esteem, you could ask them to make their diorama about a time they felt proud. The possibilities are endless! Remember that not all children will want to do this activity or they may have a completely different idea of what they want to make for their diorama. Give them the freedom to do so. It is important to give space for those who may want to express their thought and feelings in different ways.