Draw Your Feelings
Here's What To Do
1
Ask your child to close their eyes and notice how their body and mind are feeling.
2
Invite your child to sit down and draw how they're feeling.
3
Repeat when your child is upset. Wait until they are in control of their emotions, then ask them to draw what it felt like when they were upset.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- "Close your eyes. Try to notice: what does my body feel like right now? What am I feeling in my brain right now?"
E
Engage:
- "What color do you think matches that feeling? What kinds of lines or shapes match that feeling?"
- "You were feeling a very big emotion. What feeling do you think it was? How would you show that feeling on the paper?"
E
Encourage:
- "Thank you so much for sharing that feeling with me. It's important to me that I know how you're feeling inside."
- "Sometimes it can be hard to put words to your feelings. I wonder if you were maybe feeling sad, mad, frustrated, disappointed, or something else?"
R
Reflect:
- How easily was your child able to communicate their feelings through words or drawing?
Not quite ready?
Ask your child to explain their feelings through talking.
Ready for more?
See if your child can draw someone else's feelings. For example: how would they draw their crying sibling's feelings?
As your child masters this skill...
They will be able to recognize their own feelings and express them to an adult through drawing.