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Support Group Increasing Self-Esteem and Emotional Regulation for Elementary School Students
Tykes & Teens Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern Johnny Estrada created and has been leading a support group for students at one of Okeechobee’s elementary schools. The group’s purpose: to increase emotional regulation and self-esteem for the students and to increase their academic performance.
Johnny has been meeting with the students for the past six weeks discussing and implementing mindfulness techniques, relaxation skills, listening/compliance, social skills, problem solving skills, stress management and emotional regulation.
During one of the sessions, Johnny created an art activity to increase the students’ emotional awareness and emotional regulation. He started by reading the following prompt to the students:
“I would like for you to think about your worst day in your life. Feel free to close your eyes if that makes you comfortable. Try to use your senses. Were you seeing something that day? Were you smelling something?
Were you tasting something?
Were you touching something?
Were you hearing something?”
Then, he paused and gave the students a minute to process their thoughts.
Next, he gave each student a canvas and acrylic paint and asked them to express what their perfect day would look like. In the end, the students were able to express their thoughts and feelings through art therapy.
