Creative Coping Skills for Children: Emotional Support through Arts and Crafts Activities

by Bonnie Thomas

Overview

Everyone has different needs when it comes to coping with life's stressors, and children are no different. Some need quiet and soothing activities to calm them down, whereas others require more physical activity or intense sensory input to relax their minds and bodies. This resource comprises a collection of fun, flexible, tried-and-tested activities and make-it-yourself workbooks for parents and professionals to help a child in need of extra emotional support find the coping skills that fit them best. Each activity lists the materials required and includes clear directions for how to do it. There is something for every child: whether they are dynamic and creative or more cerebral and literal. Projects include making wish fairies, dream catchers, and mandalas; managing unstructured time with activities such as creating comics, dioramas and tongue twisters; and simple ideas for instant soothing, such as taking deep breaths, blowing bubbles, making silly faces, and playing music. Creative Coping Skills for Children also includes specific interventions for anxious or grieving children such as making worry dolls and memory shrines. This book is full of fun, easy, creative project ideas for parents of children aged 3–12, teachers, counselors, play therapists, social workers, and all professionals working with children.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781846429545
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	06/15/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Bonnie Thomas LCSW is a school-based clinician, providing individual and family therapy to children aged 3–12.  She has also worked in the Juvenile Corrections System and coordinated a mentoring programme for young girls living in public housing.
Bonnie Thomas LCSW is a school-based clinician, providing individual and family therapy to children aged 3–12. She has also worked in the Juvenile Corrections System and coordinated a mentoring programme for young girls living in public housing.

Table of Contents

Introduction. A Note about Materials Used In These Projects. A Note about Coping Skills. Part 1. Coping Skills and Strategies. Coping Skills and Strategies: A Starting List. Putting Words to Feelings. My Book about Feelings. Finger Labyrinths. Thinga-ma-finds. Reminder Rings. Support Bracelets and Necklaces. Support Bracelets and Necklaces One Step Further. Stepping Stones and Power Pathways. A Box of Blops. Mandalas. Power Animals. Power Animals One Step Further. Coping Skills Tool Kit. A Pirate's Survival Guide. Taking Care of Me. Wish Fairies. Wishing Wands. Butterflies. Snakes. Pirate and Princess Bags. Helping Children Manage Unstructured Time. Part 2. Specific Interventions for Worried Children. Worry Dolls. Worry Warriors. The Worry Dragon. Protection Shield. Dream Catchers. Worry Vacations. The Worry Wall. Worry Pizza. Time Out. Hopes and Prayers Flags. Part 3. Specific Interventions for Grieving Children. Memory Stones. Mini Memory Garden. Memory Shrine. Memory Candle. Messages to Heaven. Sewn Memory Creations. Prayer Flags Part II. My Little Book about A Big Loss. The Stomp Box.