#February Newsletter
#LLTJJR February Newsletter
How often do you sit and watch your child play? Are your children full of laughter, silliness or a vivid imagination? Do they prank family and friends or crack jokes? Have you noticed if they seem quiet, withdrawn, or a little bit off from their normal selves? Children experience the same emotions that adults do and sometimes struggle with how to express their feelings. This may result in shutting down or acting out when trying to resolve negative feelings. February (1-7) was Children’s Mental Health Week and this year’s theme was Express Yourself. Self-expression is unique to our individual personalities and we explore how we view the world through our passions, thoughts, ideas, and feelings. We like to connect with like-minded people and participate in conversations and activities that we enjoy. Children sometimes get confused about how to process their feelings and lack the language, perspective or insight needed to understand what they are going through or the ability to communicate this to others (Matthews, 2019). A child’s ability to express themselves helps to nurture their growth and development which boosts their confidence and self-esteem (Isle Listen, 2021).
For children who have experienced trauma, creative self-expression may be more of a beneficial approach. Traditional art therapy used with children is focused on releasing negative emotions, however redirecting these emotions with positive ones may help encourage happiness and hope. This was evidenced by a Viennese artist who taught art for over 600 children that were separated from their families and detained at hybrid concentration camps during World War II. This artist encouraged the children to divert their imagination on “the beauty of life through their art expressions rather than depict the daily horror that surrounded them” (Malchiodi, 2021). Finding creative ways to positively charge a child’s imagination away from negative emotions could help heal wounds, build resilience and coping mechanisms.
Here are some ways you can help children express themselves:
- Identify the emotion. Find new ways for children to express themselves beyond happy, sad, mad or angry. Here are some examples:
- Allow your child to express whatever they may be feeling and ask more follow up questions to open the line of communication. Validate them and it will teach your children to feel comfortable talking to you about their feelings.
- Show them. As a parent, lead by example and express “I feel” statements that can be modeled. “I feel ignored when you don’t clean your room when I ask you to.” Your child will learn to express themselves the same way.
- Demonstrate empathy to your child by understanding their feelings. This will help them identify their own feelings and others as well.
- Create a habit of talking about your feelings in everyday life such driving to school or eating dinner. Let your child know they are in a safe space to open up and talk.
(Washburn Center, 2021)
In honor of Black History Month, I wanted to recognize Mamie Phipps Clark (1917-1983) as an African American pioneer in mental health. She researched African Americans on the affects of discrimination and racial identity. Clark and her husband were part of the well-known Doll Test experiment that studied several African American children and their psychological toll of segregation (Anderson, 2018). These children were given identical black and while dolls during this experiment and selected the while doll when asked which one they preferred (Anderson, 2018). This groundbreaking evidence was used during the Brown vs Board of Education Supreme Court case that eventually declared separate schools was unconstitutional (Anderson, 2018).
I hope this newsletter will be a helpful guide for anyone with children in their lives, and help guide their feelings and encourage self-expression in ways that will lay a strong foundation for adulthood.
Amourie Johnson, RN, MSN
If you or someone you know has talked about contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Disclaimer: Although I am a health professional, I am not a mental health specialist, and this article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice from a mental health provider. The information provided is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and will give credit to the source as a guide and reference to my thoughts and views.
#REFERENCES
Anderson, A. (2018). African American pioneers in mental health you need to know. Retrieved from http://www.socialjusticesolutions.org/2018/09/26/african-american-pioneers-mental-health-need-know/
Isle Listen (2021). Express yourself-Children’s Mental Health Week. Retrieved from https://www.islelisten.im/2021/02/02/express-yourself-childrens-mental-health-week/
Malchiodi, C. (2019). Imagination and expressive arts as antidotes to adversity. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/arts-and-health/201908/imagination-and-expressive-arts-antidotes-adversity
Matthews, Dona (2019). Creative expression for health, coping, and resilience. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/going-beyond-intelligence/201909/creative-self-expression-health-coping-and-resilience
Washburn Center for Children (2021). Child, kid, or teen depression counseling: Feelings. Retrieved from https://washburn.org/resources/for-families/resources/children-and-feelings/