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When a child takes time to draw themselves and create a story it allows us to get to know the child and their view of themselves in a new way. Often what a child cannot find the words to say in conversation they will be able to blend into a picture or a story, that gentle activity acting as a buffer for them. This activity can be repeated over time and you can look back together at other images they have created of themselves to see how they have changed in the images and how their story of themselves has evolved.
All play is an opportunity for parent-child quality time, building healthy parent-child relationships and practicing positive parenting tips and effective parenting strategies.
This activity can be for just two people or for a small group.
Resources
Paper
Assorted pencils
Crayons, colouring pencils or felt pens
Start with conversations about how we look and feel, how everyone is different.
When the time is right and playful suggest drawing yourselves, in relation to something that may have happened recently, something you did or somewhere you went. Together you can decide whether you will each do one or whether you will simply observe them drawing their picture.
Your child can incorporate elements of whatever it is that they have done into the image or simply draw a picture of themselves and then from that begin to tell a story about themselves. Depending on your child’s age and if it’s the first time doing this it may be helpful for your child to use the structure of the experience to tell the story. SOme children will need to do this a couple of times before they may be more ready to be more imaginative about it.
Telling the story in their own way about themselves, whether true to life or not is a wonderful opportunity for a parent to listen and gain access into their child’s world, their view of themselves and others and their hopes and fears.
Listening is an act of love.
Listening without judgement is crucial here and any comments could be simply reflecting back what they have said, mirroring their tone.
THis activity allows your child to use their own imagination, be creative, use verbal and comprehension skills in different ways and to tell a story about themselves that may never have been told otherwise…that may be very special!.
Have fun with it and ask non-leading questions as the story unfolds….
If a child tells a story that triggers concern around their safety or the safety of others, we need to support them appropriately and report as necessary.
If you have also created an image and tell a story, this is a wonderful way for your child to access insight into your view of yourself and your world and your own hopes and fears. By sharing this with them, it gives them permission to own their own, knowing they are not alone in their fears.
The clean up can be fun too, sharing the jobs of putting everything away and not being too rushed if possible.
Further play
Storing this drawing appropriately as the child would like is important here, remembering it is a representation of themselves and their story, which will hold meaning for them. Deciding together where to store it will help.
If a series of pictures are created it may be nice to have some time to reflect on the drawings and the different stories and how they may have changed.
