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

Author(s): Bonnie Thomas

Art & Creative Therapies

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 of this title 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.


Product Information

Bonnie Thomas LMSW 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.

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. Quiet and Soothing Coping Interventions. Physical and Sensory Input Interventions. Putting Words to 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. Messages to Heaven. Sewn Memory Creations. Prayer Flags Part II. My Little Book about A Big Loss. The Stomp Box.

General Fields

  • : 9781843109211
  • : 92434
  • : 92434
  • : 15 June 2009
  • : United Kingdom
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Bonnie Thomas
  • : Paperback
  • : Bonnie Thomas
  • : 155.41246
  • : 192
  • : approximately 65 photographs