Art therapy may be one of the most valuable tools of discovery in helping children deal with mental and emotional stress. When you suspect a child might be suppressing emotions or having challenges communicating her feelings, encouraging her to pick up a paintbrush or create a simple sculpture may provide the perfect outlet to express herself.
Expression Without Words
Children often lack a vocabulary sophisticated enough to express their deep feelings. Adolescents may have the words to use, but may be dealing with an emotion so painful they prefer not to verbally name it. Art therapy allows for expression of emotion without resorting to words. Children may also be able to communicate what is bothering them in a way they feel is safer than actually verbalizing the thoughts associated with the problem.
Discover What Is Deep Inside
Some experiences are so painful that a child may suppress them. Through art therapy, thoughts and emotions buried in the subconscious mind may be brought to the forefront. The visual representation of a child's thoughts and feelings can increase his self-awareness of what is happening in his life and his responses to it. According to the American Art Therapy Association, artistic expression can help resolve conflicts and problems a person may be experiencing.
Stress Release
Allowing your hand to move a brush across a canvas, kneading clay or becoming lost in the colors of collages is soothing. In general, children enjoy engaging in physical movement, even if it is small movement. Art therapy is both an aesthetic and physical way for children to relieve stress.
Provide Diversion
According to an American Cancer Society report, "Art therapy may also be used to engage and distract patients whose illnesses or treatments cause pain." It is easy to become lost in the moment when creating art that is absorbing and expressive. This in itself provides a sense of healing.
Grief Relief
Creating art is a useful method for working through the grieving process when a child has lost someone close to her. Art therapy does not have to be limited to studio arts, but can also embrace drama, dance and movement, poetry and even photography. Almost every child can find an art form that will help her deal with life's stresses.
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