The Paint Therapy Method – Supporting Big Emotions
Art can be great therapy for all of us. Being very mindful and creative through different art forms can help children relax and have some quiet time while still keeping their hands busy. Remember that quiet time for a child is sometimes very unnatural for them, although we know it’s good for them. Furthermore, not all children know how to do this and it does not instinctively happen. Gentle encouragement, overtime is good practice to follow.
Art does not always need to come as a finished product or piece; sometimes, art can be used to relax children. This blog offers some more interesting ideas for art therapy.
If you have a child or children in your class who need time to relax and be calm, collect their emotions, but find being still challenging, try some of our painting therapy for kids ideas below.
First, think about where you’re going to do this. Ideally, you want this area set up for whenever the child needs to access it. A bit like you would use a nurture room; it may even be based in here. Name it ‘The Painting Therapy Zone’. You may want to use this every time the child shows escalated negative emotions to help reset and relax. However, as you begin to get to know the child you are working with, you may want to do this before these episodes occur, pre-empting when these emotions occur. For example, if the child tends to find lunchtimes difficult, go over to the Painting Therapy Zone beforehand and start to relax and rewind before lunch arrives to take their mind off it and reset, be ready and refreshed. However, ultimately you know your children best; these are simply ideas. You have to go with the flow and sometimes, every day is different and requires a different method entirely.
