The idea of art therapy is that art-making process is useful in therapeutic. Calms children down (and adults too!), helps to increase self-esteem, helps to express feelings, traumas.
The art techniques that we use should be easy for the patient (or child at home, if you are a parent). So even someone who isn't talented, can create it. It's what makes the person believe in herself/himself. That feeling of creating something beautiful yourself, gives you cofidence, power.
That's why it's great to invite your child for mini-art-classes at home.
Besides having fun and improving skills, you create special bond with your kid. Which is very important and often forgotten in those times when adults are busy with their careers.
Here are some examples, what to do with your kid in your free time. You don't even any need special materials, just stuff that you have at home and your imagination.
LADY BIRD MADE FROM PAPER PLATES
All you need is:
- crayons, glue , brown colored paper (for legs).
'The Ladybird's head could have been cut out of paper and stuck outside the plate, but this is a lazy-version ;)
BIRD MADE FROM NAPKINS
Draw a bird on a thick paper, cut out a small rectangle in the middle. Then fold your napkin in a shape of some kind of fan.. Drag it through a hole. Decorate the bird.
RECYCLING THE WRAPPING PAPER
You need: wrapping paper, glue, marker, paper
Draw some contour (in my photo its christmas theme). Then cut wrapping paper into small pieces. Stick it to the paper carefully, remembering about the outline.
GARLAND MADE FROM OLD PLASTIC BOTTLES
Gather couple of plastic bottles, cut of the bottoms. You can decorate them with some glitter. Then connect each of them with a string (Drill small holes with the scissors, for the string) .
ANIMALS MADE OF TOILET PAPER ROLLS
Collect leftovers from paper rolls - then wrap it with colored paper, add some details and create funny animals.
