As Featured by the BBC and The Yorkshire Post.
This guide was created by local artists, for primary school children, with the support of mental health experts.

The Calming Art Guide for Children

Our supporters and references

We are thrilled to have been featured by the BBC, and the Yorkshire Post. Our activities have been created by artists with the support of art therapists, and we have been guided by resources from Mind and Place2Be.

An introduction

Feeling anxious and worried is normal from time for time, for everyone. They are everyday feelings which can help to motivate and protect us.

At this time many children and young people may be feeling more anxious as we enter and navigate the "new normal" post lockdown. Each Calming Art Project offers a space, away from the digital, to notice and explore these feelings.

The four creative activities encourage children to spot, settle, soothe and share their worries so these feelings do not become overwhelming. By doing this children can be helped to feel calm.

- Annie, Children's Wellbeing Writer & Artist
PROJECT 1

Papier Mache Worries

  • Project aim
    Learn to accept when worries come up, by writing them down and turning them into something beautiful.
  • Immersive audio or reading
    Read this story 'Me and My Fear' by Rebecca Sanna. It is on YouTube to read or watch : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THAIfa8EXgA
  • What you will need for the activity
    Papier mache paste - flour and water, newspaper or tissue paper, paint, paintbrush

The Step by Step Guide

Step 1

Make your papier mache paste, there are many ways you can do this. This method is particularly simple and effective - plus there's a video, this should help you too: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba2ePeEiF2E

Step 2

Rip the newspaper into strips—do not cut it. Torn strips lay smoother on the form. The length of your strips may vary depending on the size of your project; however, you will want your strips to be about 1 to 2 inches wide.

Step 3

Dip one piece of newspaper at a time into the paper mache paste. You want the newspaper strip to be saturated. Hold the saturated strip over the paste bowl and run it through your fingers to squeeze off any excess paste.

Step 4

Stick the newspaper strip over your form and smooth it down with your fingers. Completely cover your form with a layer of the saturated newspaper strips. They should all be over-lapping and running in different directions. After one layer is applied, let it dry completely. This can take up to 24 hours. Repeat with as many layers as you wish!
PROJECT 1

Tranquil Trees

  • Project aim
    Learn to accept when worries come up, by writing them down and turning them into something beautiful.
  • Immersive audio or reading
    Read this story 'Breathe And Be' by Kate CoombsIt is on YouTube to read or watch: https://youtu.be/snKYQU8GTyU

    Here are some calming forest sounds that can help with imagining your forest whilst making art: https://youtu.be/xNN7iTA57jM
  • What you will need for the activity
    Plain paper/card or cardboard
    coloured paper or card
    coloured pencils/ pens/crayons/paint
    scissors and glue
    optional: pipe cleaners, leaves, twigs, flowers, tissue paper, cotton wool

The Step by Step Guide

Step 1

Draw or paint tree trunks onto a piece of plain paper or card. Or, if you want to create 3D trees to display in the home, find some small twigs from the garden.

Step 2

For the treetops, cut different sizes of coloured or recycled paper to stick above the trunks, or push onto the twigs to make beautiful, crinkly leaves.

Step 3

Details such as branches, leaves, flowers or fruit can be painted or drawn on top at the end. Alternatively, use pipe cleaners or twigs for thetrunks/branches.

Step 4

Tissue paper, cotton wool, or even real leaves, stones or pebbles and flowers can also be used forthe treetops or forest floor!
PROJECT 1

Finding purpose in fallen leaves

  • Project aim
    We walk past fallen leaves and rocks every day, sediments of something from the past. This activity will help children to find the beauty in the every day.

    Some situations seem to be missing the light at the end of the tunnel. We’ve all been there, and your children will find themselves here too. Picking up a fallen leaf, and givig it a new purpose as a form of art is a lovely way of teaching children to find and explore new possibilities in hard times.
  • Immersive audio or reading
    Listen to a reading of the book Leaves by David Ezra on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5Ow-WJH9QE
  • What you will need for the activity
    Rocks
    Leaves: different sizes and shapes that will fit onto rocks
    Paintbrushes
    Acrylic paint
    Small plastic container lids, such as a yogurt lid (to use as paint trays)

The Step by Step Guide

Step 1

First, you will need to collect some rocks and leaves… time for a walk or nature hunt in the yard! Smooth rocks and deep veined leaves work well. Clean and dry the rocks before painting.

Step 2

Paint the first layer of paint on (the background coluor). You may need to do more than one coat on your rocks, depending on the colour and paint you use. Set the rocks aside to dry completely before you print with the leaves.

Step 3

Press the painted leaf onto your painted rock and gently lift off to reveal the leaf print! If you need to fill any gaps, re-coat the leaf and carefully set it back in place, pressing into the areas where more paint is needed.

Step 4

Continue printing with your leaves on the rest of your rocks and allow them to dry.

“Art is the greatest asset to mental health I have; it has this amazing ability to go under the radar and it goes down little pathways which are un-trodden and yet it’s still a very legitimate way of thinking and feeling and getting on with your life.”
Grayson Perry
Artist
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