My Daughter Has Developed Her Own Form of ‘Art Therapy’ and It’s Remarkably Effective

Whenever we take a drive in our minivan, even for the briefest trips, my daughter brings along her crayons and scissors. She has a small red art caboodle filled with paper, colored pencils, markers, and whatever else she can squeeze in, ready to unleash her creativity at any moment, even while we’re shopping at Target. She’s one of the most inventive children I know. Just the other day, she transformed our empty family-sized Cheez-It box into a “friend” she affectionately named Marsha, who joined us on our car rides, buckled in between her and her twin sister.

At just six years old, my daughter has a knack for self-regulation. She can recognize when she needs a break from overwhelming situations, simply stating, “I need some alone time,” and then retreats to create art. When I find her, she’s completely engrossed in her craft, using it as a means to process her feelings—be it fear, anxiety, excitement, or even boredom.

Children who have faced trauma often find solace in various forms of therapy, regardless of their age. For instance, art therapy provided comfort to children displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. With the ongoing impact of a global pandemic, many kids, including mine, have encountered unique challenges, and art proves to be a valuable outlet.

Margaret Carlock Russo, Ed.D., LCAT(NY), ATR-BC, ATCS, President of the American Art Therapy Association, explains in her article, “Does Art Therapy Help You Manage Anxiety Symptoms”, that engaging in art-making can help calm the neurological system. Research indicates that creating art can lower brain chemical levels, leading to relaxation for numerous individuals, which aids in soothing the nervous system. She’s absolutely right.

When my daughter completes a piece and steps back to admire it, there’s a noticeable shift in her demeanor. She enters a tranquil state, distinct from her earlier restlessness. Her body language and expressions soften, and her breathing becomes calm and steady, highlighting the power of being present in the act of creation.

Art therapy has been shown to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and panic in both adults and children, enhancing quality of life and emotional regulation. Carlock Russo further notes that focusing on a single task, such as art-making, can be a straightforward method to achieve mindfulness, akin to deep breathing exercises. The tactile nature of working with art supplies also provides sensory experiences, aiding in stress relief through the joy of creativity.

As the crayons, colored pencils, and stray marker stains accumulate in our minivan, they also bring me comfort. I realize that my daughter is channeling her feelings through her artistic endeavors. Art has become her passion, and she excels at it. Even her La Croix box Wonder Woman shields bring her immense joy, prompting her to ask, “Aren’t these so cool, Mommy?” Her enthusiasm transforms our home office into her personal art studio.

Her artistic pursuits and desire for a calming presence have encouraged me to adapt and be more flexible, letting go of my Type-A tendencies regarding household cleanliness. I often discover glitter and glue stuck to my work documents or piles of used paper scattered around, remnants of her creative trials. Yet, witnessing her happiness and emotional growth through art makes it all worthwhile. She is mastering self-regulation through her unique form of art therapy, and I fully support her, even if it means using all 500 sheets of paper.

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Summary:

My daughter has discovered her own form of art therapy, which helps her manage and express her emotions effectively. Through her creativity, she has developed self-regulation skills that allow her to cope with anxiety and stress. As a parent, I’ve learned to embrace the messiness of her artistic journey, knowing it contributes to her happiness and emotional well-being.

Keyphrase: art therapy for children
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