Art therapy can be a valuable tool for children with cancer, providing them with a creative outlet to work through the complex, sometimes painful aspects of their cancer journey. Art therapy can be done in a clinical setting with a therapist or psychologist, but it can also be done more casually. Here are a few ways art helps pediatric cancer patients:
Emotional Expression: Art therapy provides a safe and nonverbal way for children to express their emotions, especially about cancer. It helps children process and communicate complex feelings that can’t be easily put into words.
Stress Reduction: Engaging in creative activities such as painting, drawing, or sculpting can help reduce stress and anxiety. Art therapy allows children to focus on the creative process, which can be calming and distracting from the stress of the situation.
Self-Expression and Identity: Art therapy encourages children to explore their self-identity and strengths through creative expression. It allows them to assert control and autonomy when they feel powerless, fostering a sense of empowerment.
Communication and Relationships: Art therapy improves communication between children, their families, and healthcare providers. After all, art can serve as a bridge for discussing complex topics.
Distraction and Enjoyment: Creativity can provide a welcome distraction from medical procedures, hospital stays, and cancer treatment. Art creates joy and a reprieve from worry. Simply put…art is fun!
You may not know what activities to encourage unless you’re artistic. If you need ideas for art therapy projects, look no further!
This is probably the most “portable” project for kids. All you really need is paper and a pencil. There are plenty of mediums to explore: watercolors, finger paint, acrylic paints, colored pencils, and markers, to name a few. Digital art is a no-mess option, too! Encourage your child to express their feelings and experiences through art by creating paintings or drawings that reflect their emotions, dreams, or challenges.
Magazines, newspapers, fabric scraps, and other materials can create collages. Kids with cancer can use these materials to express their thoughts and feelings, create visual stories, or illustrate their hopes and aspirations. Consider what your child likes and enjoys and find related materials, such as car or fashion magazines.
Who doesn’t enjoy Play-Doh? Whether you use malleable, infinitely reusable Play-Doh or modeling clay to dry or bake, sculpting introduces a whole new dimension to art. This tactile activity can be therapeutic, allowing children to create three-dimensional representations of their feelings or experiences. Keeping something like Play-Doh, clay, or slime around can provide a hands-on activity to relieve stress – no sculptures required.
Writing is art, too. Kids can pick out a journal or sketchbook to jot down feelings, doodle, write short stories, or keep a diary. No one else has to see it. Working these things out on the page can foster emotional intelligence and resilience.
Provide blank masks or paper plates and art supplies for children to decorate masks. This activity can help them explore different aspects of their identity, emotions, and inner strengths. You can find blank masks through retailers like Amazon. Provide a variety of stickers and decorations to use. You can also make masks the old-fashioned way – papier-mâché! (For most of us, this means using newspaper and glue.)
Music is a powerful means of artistic expression. Incorporate music and movement into art therapy through dance, singing, or playing musical instruments. Not only can music evoke emotions, but it can provide relaxation. Scientific studies consistently demonstrate that dancing reduces anxiety and depression. How cool is that?
Collaboration can be valuable for artistic expression and for forming and strengthening relationships. Work together on an art project as a family. Your child can work with siblings, friends, or fellow cancer patients. It combines the best of art therapy and socialization.
Move art outdoors! Kids can gather leaves, flowers, rocks, and branches to make collages or impressions. They can sketch nature scenes from life. This connection with nature can be calming and inspiring – plus, they get fresh air and natural light!
Of course, all these activities can (and should) adapt to each child’s preferences, abilities, and interests. Provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment where children can express themselves creatively and without fear.