| Support groups for children are designed in order to | | | | part at a time to feel calm and relaxed. For younger |
| offer children a safe space to express themselves, | | | | children a simple game that encourages children to |
| understand fears and anxieties as well as learn to | | | | stand tall like a pencil (bodies tense) then flop like a |
| cope with a crisis, trauma, or a condition.Attendance | | | | wet noodle (release the muscles) is a fun and |
| and curriculum are two of the most difficult | | | | energized activity that helps children to distinguish |
| challenges for facilitators in maintaining an | | | | between being tense and relaxed. By starting off the |
| environment that promotes both fun and learning.For | | | | group with an activity that allows children the |
| some children support groups are often | | | | opportunity to shake off the day's or week's stress |
| overwhelming for children and bring on a certain | | | | will provide an atmosphere for the children's support |
| amount of stress and pressure for the kids that are | | | | group that is open to learning new ways to cope |
| involved. However, by starting each group session | | | | with their own stress. |
| with a simple guided imagery technique can | | | | Color as a calming energy |
| encourage children to relax and focus leading to more | | | | Color is an easily accessible way for children to |
| open discussion of feelings, participate more freely in | | | | identify their feelings and emotions. It is also a tool |
| activities, and connect the children in the group, | | | | for calming one's mind and is easily combined with |
| leading to a more supportive environment amongst | | | | deep breathing and PMR. Upon chidren's arrival to the |
| the participants. | | | | group the facilitator can ask children to describe their |
| Teach Breathing Techniques | | | | feelings by using a color. Color can also be |
| Start each group with a breathing exercise. This can | | | | incorporated into a guided meditation by asking |
| be as simple as asking children to focus on their | | | | children to imagine a soothing color either radiating |
| breath as they slowly breathe in counting 1..2..3.. | | | | from them or using the image of a star or rainbow |
| followed by breathing out to the count of five | | | | dripping the calming color into them starting at their |
| 1..2..3..4..5..The extra counts on the out breath help | | | | head and working its way slowly through their body. |
| children to release the tension they are holding. Ask | | | | Having children participate in this activity is another |
| children to focus on their breathing and if they notice | | | | technique that allows children the opportunity to |
| any changes in their body. Do they feel calmer? Did | | | | focus on the emotions they may be holding in their |
| things move slower? Encourage children to quiet all | | | | body. By releasing them makes it possible to discuss |
| other thoughts in their mind, this will take time and | | | | and share in the children's support group. |
| practice. Doing even just a few minutes of deep | | | | Support groups for children are often a balancing act, |
| breathing at the beginning of each group can help | | | | finding the right mix of therapeutic and fun in order |
| children focus their attention on the group and be | | | | to keep children engaged and coming back. By |
| present to their feelings and emotions as well as | | | | offering guided imagery activities as part of each |
| those of the others in the support groups for | | | | group children are asked to participate in an |
| children. | | | | interactive and fun way while also learning strategies |
| Progressive Muscle Relaxation | | | | for coping and increasing the success of the children's |
| Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a tool to help | | | | support group. |
| children to relax by telling each part of the body one | | | | |