The holidays can be exciting, but it's also normal for this time of year to elicit feelings of grief, sadness, and anxiety in kids. Hopscotch Parent Educator and Child Therapist Dr. April Duncan, LCSW, RPT, shares three activities to help your child process these emotions and give them the coping skills to make this holiday a joyous one.
Try "Sugar Skulls" to Remember a Loved One
When your child has lost a family member or friend, the holidays can be a time of grieving the person who is no longer there to celebrate with them. Sugar Skulls is a great way for the family to honor those loved ones, create a physical representation of their presence, and start a conversation about the feelings your child may be having.
Have Your Child Create "Touch Stones"
If your child is feeling sad during the holidays, creating Touch Stones is a great way to remind them of their special qualities. Dr. April shares how to encourage your kids to recognize the things they love about themselves—and the importance of parents getting involved with their own stones.
Try This "Worry Dolls" Activity to Alleviate Anxiety
Worry Dolls is a great traditional activity to help kids identify their worries, express them, and to alleviate some of that anxiety. There's no wrong way to do this—you can use a variety of materials to create the Dolls with your kids.
