Creating art as a form of self expression has countless benefits. Starting this artsy self expression young means kids are comfortable and well versed with getting their feelings out via artistic measures. Sounds good, right? But where to start….Use these free self esteem worksheets to make a book or as part of a journal or sketchbook. Either way they are an easy beginning to exploring self esteem activities!
Why choose art as a means of self expression…
Try this easy little printable book as a stepping stone to getting your kids to engage in some really meaningful art. It doesn’t have to be hard or fancy to be important to them. Baby steps.
I’ve always been what I thought of as “high strung.” Easy going and relaxed, as hard as I might try, are just not my mode of operating. Making stuff, making anything, literally brings my personality down a notch. Long before I had any inkling of the scientific reasoning behind it I instinctively knew. Making things makes me a better, nicer, calmer person.
That’s true for lots of kids too. So before they even know it try providing them with some tools to use to express whatever is going on in life!
Using art art as a self esteem activity…
I mentioned above that making things has always brought an element of calm to my days. This may or may not be true to your little person. But what is true, almost across the board, is that art can bring a bit of self awareness. And that self awareness can lead to the knowledge that everyone has these “big feelings.” Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
Art really lends itself to making kids understand we’re all in the same boat. Humans aren’t perfect but we’re all really good at something. Whether your child’s strength is art or something else maybe these self esteem worksheets can help them discover what they’re feeling and what they’re really excited about!
I’m just a mom…
Let me start by saying I’m no art therapist. I’m a mom, an artist myself, and an art teacher. I’ve seen the “power of making” first hand in myself and my kiddos.
Teaching art can be intimidating if you’re not an art teacher. (It doesn’t need to be though! Check out this list of awesome books to help you teach art even if you’re not an artist!)
Big feelings can be overwhelming….
Teaching about art and feelings….a double whammy. Am I right?
Any adult that has ever asked a group of kids a question knows you just never know what you’re gonna’ get. Could be funny, is off topic more than not, and is sometimes jaw dropping. Little people deal with a lot.
What I like about using art as an outlet is that it doesn’t have to be a public discussion. What that child is thinking and writing can be just for them, or for talking about later. Kids may want to share and they may not. Make that their choice. Art is personal.
How to use these self esteem worksheets…
One of the best ways to facilitate getting kids to make art that allows self expression and is therefore meaningful to them is to get out of the way. Literally, step aside.
Kids don’t need complicated directions, or a precise array of materials to grow and develop.
Art doesn’t have to be pretty or follow a lot of complicated directions to be life changing.
Let them make stuff, often, and with abandon. Praise the making not the finished product. Talk about it or not; take your cue from the artist.
I hope these self esteem worksheets are just the beginning of experiences that allow your little artists a bit of self expression and exploration. Supplying open ended art activities may seem overwhelming at first but you’ll get the hang of it. Check out this foil painting experience and this abstract watercolor idea. Give your kiddos some supplies, and maybe a concept, and set them free.
The simplest of self esteem activities…
This simple self expression printable book should be the beginning of a self expression journey. Whether you’re using it with a class or your own child I hope this book is just step one of lots of making to get the feelings out.
The list of directions are intentionally small.
Provide a variety of materials. The obvious markers, crayons, and pencils are a great start. But throw in some unexpected items too. Old magazines, newspapers, and washi tape are great additions. Use what you have.
Encourage words, shapes, colors, and marks that mean something to them. (For kids that are intimidated by drawing words and colors can be a pressure free place to start!)
Just the beginning of more self esteem activities…
Each page of this self expression book focuses on a feeling. I tried to choose feelings that are pretty universal so that a majority of kids could relate. Don’t let that stop you from adding pages to the book. Blank pages could serve as a sketchbook or journal of sorts for the million and one feelings not listed!
Get the self expression printable worksheets here…
If you want to grab this free printable self expression book just use the subscribe box below. You’ll get a subscriber only password that will grant you access to my Resource Library. This printable and dozens of others are all there in PDF form for easy printing. And they’re all free- yippee!
Click on the thumbnail under the heading “Art Tutorials and Printable Prompts.” The entire set of self esteem worksheets will pop right up!
