Art is a unique tool for communication that helps children show what is in their hearts and minds.
Sometimes, children do not have the language skills to clearly verbalize their experiences. Other times, children feel too intimidated or nervous to speak to someone they do not know well about their fears, worries, or trauma. Children’s creations help them tell their stories. Art making is a way to help children feel comfortable and relaxed, so they can express themselves more openly. Art itself can also be the language with which children communicate. Art can help make painful experiences less threatening. Art making for children is often playful, which is how children learn about themselves and the world around them. Art therapy can help children learn about emotions, gently work through trauma, gain self-confidence through exploration, and experience social and relational development through child-therapist interactions.