Activity of the Month!

This month's activity is an art therapy directive about children and youth imagining an image to represent their inner strength. It is called the Inner Helper. This activity can be helpful for many children including children who have difficulty with negative thinking and difficulty coping with stress or anxiety. This activity is can be used with children age 7 and up.

A variety of art materials can be used for this activity depending on what you have available. The art materials I have available to children and youth include oil and chalk pastels, pencil crayons, markers, water colours, tempera paints, collage materials, and model magic. 

Similar to the Special Place art activity posted last month, you will first discuss deep breathing. Then explain that this activity involves imagining a picture or an image that is there to help you, and that you will be reading them something to help them visualize this. It is important to check in with the child if they feel comfortable closing their eyes, and if they do not to let them know they can keep their eyes open. It can be helpful to read the script in a calm voice at a slow pace.

"You are focusing on your belly breathing: deep breaths, just letting your whole body relax letting any tension just drain out through your toes. That's good. Listening to your breath, you are feeling comfortable and relaxed. Now let a picture or image come to you. It may be just a feeling. It is very kind and nice. It is there to help you. It wants only good things for you. It can be anything: an animal...a person...an angel. Just let it come and get clearer. Your helper inside you is very wise and loves you very much. It is here to help you with any problem or any questions you have. Just let it come. Take your time until your helper shows up. When you are ready, give a nod. Take a minute to get comfortable now that your helper is here. What does it look like? Does your helper have a name? You can ask for help with a problem you are having about what you need to know, what you need to do so that the problem can get smaller. It is there to help you. It may bring you a feeling or a thought. Whatever it brings, this is the gift to you. When you are ready, begin to return to the room. Take your time. (Once the child has had time to return to the room continue with the following). When you are ready you can depict your Inner Helper with the art materials available." 

The script above was modified from the original that can be found in The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook for Kids by Shapiro, Sprague and McKay. 

After they have depicted their Inner Helper it can be helpful for the child to be provided with an opportunity to share. A discussion about how they can use their inner helper in difficult situations may also be helpful.