Children’s Art Week 2020 starts today, so it’s the perfect time to explore the effectiveness of art therapy on children’s domestic abuse recovery.
Art therapy gives children affected by domestic abuse a new way to communicate their emotions. It can help children move towards a brighter, happier future that is free from fear.
Why art therapy works
Art therapy works for several reasons:
It’s fun. Most kids love colouring and drawing – and when they’re having fun, they’re relaxed.
It’s easy. Children usually learn to draw before they can write.
It’s expressive. So it can help children to develop new coping skills.
What art therapy does
Children who experience domestic abuse – including witnessing abuse that’s directed at someone else – often experience developmental trauma. Without professional support, this trauma can last a lifetime.
Research tells us that early intervention is one of the best ways to help children recover from traumatic experiences.
Art therapy and play therapy give children who are struggling to talk about their emotions the chance to open up.
Children who are non-verbal or who don’t have the language skills they need to describe their wishes and feelings can make great progress through age-appropriate play therapy and art therapy programmes.
Recovery programmes for children
Art therapy plays a big part in our Monkey Bob wishes and feelings work. Combined with play therapy and designed especially for young children, we see remarkable changes to children’s behaviour when they’re given the tools they need to express themselves in a way that feels comfortable and natural.
That’s why we invest so heavily in developing our recovery programmes for children. And that’s why – whether you’re a parent, carer or professional working with Early Years children – you’ll find a wealth of information and resources here on the Monkey Bob website to help you during Children’s Art Week and beyond.
ADVICE FOR PROFESSIONALS
RESOURCES FOR PROFESSIONALS
SHOP MONKEY BOB