children Archives | VlinderExpressiveArtsTherapy

Encouraging self-expression in your child

Nov 13, 2017

Self-expression is a commonly overlooked aspect of a healthy life. Just as food nourishes our bodies and sleep helps us function, self-expression enables us to authentically and uniquely interact with the world around us. The way we communicate, learn, dress and respond to situations is what defines us as a person, and allows us to become balanced and independent individuals. In the same way that we need to exercise our bodies, it is important that we spend time focusing on our minds, acknowledging the passions and traits that are inherent to us. 

While it can be easy as an adult to understand the significance of personal development, the messages being fed to our children are not quite as forgiving. In the digital and informational age we live in, our kids are constantly being flooded with different ideas, pressures and norms that tell them how to act, dress and behave. Rather than spending time figuring out who they are as an individual, they are pressured to find ways to conform, so as not to stand out. Amongst all the noise and informational clutter, it can be hard for a child to differentiate between what is authentically them, and what is a norm they have been fed by those around them.  

Given this wide-spread culture of conformity, it is no surprise that depression rates amongst teens and children have risen drastically over the past decade. In Australia, one in 35 people have personally experienced depression before the age of 17. Low self-esteem and general unhappiness can stunt their emotional and personal development, impacting them well into their adult lives and preventing them from reaching their full unique potential. 

It’s important that we teach kids from an early age that it’s ok to be different and that there are no wrong answers in determining who you are as a person. Encouraging self-expression helps them navigate the murky waters of childhood and gives them the tools they need to develop and thrive as an individual.

The good news is that encouraging self-expression in your child doesn’t have to be a chore. Whether it be through art, dancing, solving puzzles or writing, most children will be thrilled to exercise their creative mind. They are natural innovators, with wildly powerful imaginations, so let them do the tricky part and decide for themselves what they would like to do. There is no rule book, nor is there a cookie-cutter way to explore self-expression, so let them take the lead see where it takes you (you’ll likely be surprised!).  Ask more questions, listen more closely, engage with them, be patient with them, learn from them. Being able to express yourself isn’t a skill that needs to be taught: when we are given the space and autonomy to be ourselves, self-expression comes freely and naturally. And remember: self-expression is important for all of us, regardless of our age. Take the time to delve into your own creative mind and develop your personal sense of self. Don’t be afraid to be pro-active and set an example… they’ll thank you for it. 

We designed program to help children on a holistic level. The program uses the sensory experiences of Art Therapy to empower children in making their own mindful decisions. Click here to find out more and enrol your child.

3 creative activities to do with your child

Oct 30, 2017

Parents often are reluctant to do any creative activities with their children, because they equate creativity with messiness; paint on the carpet and walls, crayons on clothes, Playdoh in hair.

Fortunately, not all creative activities have to be messy. There are a number of iPad apps these days that allow your child to be creative, without any additional equipment or mess. The problem with most of these apps is that they are a solo activity.

Taking part in creative activities with your child is a great way to develop your connection or to reconnect, if you’ve been feeling a little disconnected lately.

Here are some ideas for creative activities that both you and your child will have fun doing (and that you won’t have to spend hours cleaning up!):

Cook a meal or bake something together

Next time you’re cooking dinner, encourage your child to involved, rather than shooing them from the kitchen. Teach them about some different flavour combinations and get them to taste test some different herbs. Ask them what herbs or spices they would like to include in the dish and ask why they think they would taste good together.

Alternatively, you could bake a batch of plain cupcakes and experiment by making each different cupcake a different flavour combination. Berries and mint in one, banana and chocolate in another, lemon and cream cheese in another. Taste-test the different cupcakes and together decide which flavours are the best (and worst!) and discuss why the different flavours work well together, or why they don’t.

Grab an old camera and go exploring together

Exploring the world with an open mind and actively trying to view things from different perspectives is great for cultivating a sense of wonder. Challenge your child to find beauty in the mundane by playing with camera angles, zoom, focus and lighting.

You could print the finished photos and grab some plain wooden frames from your local craft store to frame the best photos. Together, decorate the frames in a way that enhances the beauty of the photographs using whatever craft materials you have around the house.

When looking back at the printed photographs, make sure to ask your child about how they felt during the process of exploring and taking the photos.

Write a letter to the author of their favourite book with ideas for a sequel

This is a great way of encouraging your child to develop new ideas and think laterally – particularly if the book is imaginative and contains “made-up” objects.

Help them write the letter, asking open-ended questions as you go. For example: “Why do you think the author ended the book in the way they did?” or “What do you think happens to the main character next? Why?”

Maybe your child will want to come up with their own new characters to add to the book. Ask them to describe these new characters in detail.

Bonus activity:

We’ve put together an art activity for your child and a question guide for you, to get you started with asking the right questions about your child’s art. It’s the perfect rainy day activity and can help you reconnect with your child.

Pop your name and email address in the box below and we’ll send it straight to your inbox.

How to encourage your child to approach the world with a sense of wonder

Oct 9, 2017

We often describe people as having a “childlike sense of wonder” – but have you ever stopped to think about what this really means?

Having a sense of wonder means you look at concepts in ways that you previously didn’t think was possible. It means exploring different perspectives, asking lots of questions and not simply accepting things as “fact”.

The sad truth is that, while most of us have this sense of wonder as children, it is usually squashed out of us by the time we reach high-school. We’re told to stop imagining, to stop daydreaming, to stop asking questions and to stop talking to our imaginary friends.

However, a sense of wonder is something you should encourage your child to develop and maintain. It can boost their problem solving skills, by encouraging them to think in new ways, even as they grow older.

So, how can you help your child approach the world with a sense of wonder?

Encourage them to think about things in new ways

Spark a sense of wonder by getting your child to look at their surroundings from new perspectives. Always ask them plenty of questions about why things are the way they are.

A great way to do this is to visit a modern art gallery together and observe a few pieces of abstract art. Ask your child what they think the art depicts and what they think the meaning behind the art is. Once you’ve asked them this, ask them to consider that the art has an entirely different meaning or that depicts something completely different.

Encourage them to think about the same piece of artwork in multiple different ways.

Foster a love of books

Reading is a great way to boost the imagination and develop a sense of wonder. Children’s books are particularly good for this, as they tend to explore new, often far-fetched concepts. Dr Seuss books are fantastic for this, as are books that explore common concepts from a different point of view.

Take up photography together

Grab an old camera (or even your iPhone!) and go exploring together – even if just in your own backyard or around the block. Encourage your child to capture the beauty around you from a different perspective to how they would usually see it. Show them how a run-down old building or an old tree stump can become a beautiful piece of art if captured from a new angle.

Ask the right questions

Always ask your child open-ended questions, even when you’re out and about, running errands, or walking down the road together. Ask questions that encourage your child to use their imagination, like:

“Why do you think trees have branches?”
“What if the sky was green?”
“How do you think the tiny ants on the ground see the world?”

Encourage them to ask lots of questions

Children typically ask a lot of questions and it can become a habit to respond with “don’t ask so many questions!”

Instead, we should be encouraging children to ask questions, as this curiosity is a crucial part of exploring the world with a sense of wonder. Learning is one of the best ways to cultivate a sense of wonder – and, naturally, asking questions is an excellent way to learn.

Ultimately, encouraging your child to hold on to their childlike sense of wonder and their innate curiosity is an excellent way to ensure they grow up to be creative, intelligent adults.

Complete our parent and child art activity together