Healing Through the Arts
Have you ever felt like your struggling a little bit and can not really pinpoint why? Have you ever felt indescribable joy and wish you could feel it and enjoy it to its maximum? Have you ever felt extremely confused? Sad? Angry? Hurt? Traumatized? Depressed? Happy? Motivated? Excited?
Our thoughts, feelings, ideas, interpretation of the world- all matter. Yet it is difficult perhaps to explore these things openly. Sometimes in daily routines people -even teachers and children- can walk around trying to survive the challenges of the day with loads of heavy emotional baggage.
Through the arts we can explore these emotions and ideas in a safe and personal way. We can self-heal ourselves by engaging in conversation with our own minds and emotions. We can self-heal and calm ourselves through art.
For children this is extremely important as feelings are new and hard to describe. Language is still limited for the developing preschool child. In the preschool stage children are truly challenged to become independent and skilled in multiple areas. This process is stressful and can be painful at times. Understanding emotions and feelings is a life-long challenge. For children to discover that they can self-soothe themselves through art exploration is a powerful and healthy way to begin to learn healing through the arts.
Teachers also greatly benefit from the therapeutic and creative exploration through the arts as they face challenging lives in the professional and personal arenas.
Very simple activity ideas for healing through the arts in the preschool classroom:
Healing through the Arts Music
One simple activity is to have children sit in a circle with eyes closed and listen to music in silence. After listening to a minute of the piece the teacher may ask the students if they want to discuss how they feel. This can be done with several different musical pieces.
Healing through the Arts Dance
Dance out my feelings. Free dance moments in class with varied musical pieces is good for the mind and body. It is a great break or transition activity in class.
Healing through the Arts Coloring Activity
Provide students with a heart outline. Color the heart and identify what each color means to you.
Additional resources: