For the Birds
Population: Geriatric
Art Technique: For the project you will need pine cones, twine, scissors, peanut butter, spoons, bird seed, 8"x 10" white paper, markers and news paper. Cover the table with news paper before you begin as this will be a messy project. Each person should get a pine cone, a spoon, and a spoonful of peanut butter (on the news paper in front of the participant is fine). Twine should be tied to the top of the pine cone leaving a large enough loop on top so the finished product can be hung in a tree outdoors. Ask each member to begin by covering his or her pine cone in peanut butter. Once finished, the pine cones should be rolled in bird seed.
Set the bird feeders aside and begin a discussion with the group members about their favorite birds and why they like those birds. Then ask each participant to create an image of what kind of bird they would be. Would they have a long tail and wings to help fly long distances? Would they be very colorful or not? Would they go south for the winter or would the stick it out? Process with the group the images and the members description of his or her bird.
What art techniques did you do this week?
Thursday, October 15, 2009
10/5 Art Therapy Task
Kind Words for Strangers
Population: Geriatric
Task: The theme for the month of October is "Up, Up and Away" and the party we are having at the end of the month is a balloon launch! Each balloon let go will be tagged with the facilities name and phone number and a message asking for who ever finds the tag to please call and say where the balloon was found.
So, the task was centered around the soon to be released balloons. For the project you will need strips of paper approx. 2" x 6", a hole punch, markers, scissors, and ribbon. Each person in the group got at least two tags. Before giving the directions, a discussion was had about the nice things people have said to others or have been said to them and the feelings associated with such kind words. Once we had some ideas, the group was told to write onto the tag something nice for the stranger who may find the balloon. Encourage serious and silly responses, "You are having a nice hair day" is perfectly acceptable for this project!
Once all of the tags have been written on, punch a hole at the end of each tag, and have each participant thread some ribbon through the hole to later tie onto the balloons.
What art therapy projects did you do this week?
Population: Geriatric
Task: The theme for the month of October is "Up, Up and Away" and the party we are having at the end of the month is a balloon launch! Each balloon let go will be tagged with the facilities name and phone number and a message asking for who ever finds the tag to please call and say where the balloon was found.
So, the task was centered around the soon to be released balloons. For the project you will need strips of paper approx. 2" x 6", a hole punch, markers, scissors, and ribbon. Each person in the group got at least two tags. Before giving the directions, a discussion was had about the nice things people have said to others or have been said to them and the feelings associated with such kind words. Once we had some ideas, the group was told to write onto the tag something nice for the stranger who may find the balloon. Encourage serious and silly responses, "You are having a nice hair day" is perfectly acceptable for this project!
Once all of the tags have been written on, punch a hole at the end of each tag, and have each participant thread some ribbon through the hole to later tie onto the balloons.
What art therapy projects did you do this week?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
9/28 art therapy technique
Group Fall Tree
Population: Geriatric
Technique: For this art therapy task you will need a large piece of white or gray construction paper (18" x 24"), large brown marker, yellow, red, and orange acrylic paint, large leaf stencils, and sponges (or scrunched plastic bags in a pinch).
Have each member of the group take turns filling in leaf stencils using the sponges and paint. Encourage mixing the fall colors to create unique leaves. Once each member has added his or her own leaf, the group facilitator should use a brown marker and create a tree in the center that encompasses all of the members leaves. Next, write down each persons name near their leaf. Discuss the placement of the leaves and the meaning behind who's leaf is next to who's, if anyone would want to move their leaf, if anyone wants to add or subtract leaves, and the idea of a family tree and what that means for this group.
What art therapy techniques did you do this week?
Population: Geriatric
Technique: For this art therapy task you will need a large piece of white or gray construction paper (18" x 24"), large brown marker, yellow, red, and orange acrylic paint, large leaf stencils, and sponges (or scrunched plastic bags in a pinch).
Have each member of the group take turns filling in leaf stencils using the sponges and paint. Encourage mixing the fall colors to create unique leaves. Once each member has added his or her own leaf, the group facilitator should use a brown marker and create a tree in the center that encompasses all of the members leaves. Next, write down each persons name near their leaf. Discuss the placement of the leaves and the meaning behind who's leaf is next to who's, if anyone would want to move their leaf, if anyone wants to add or subtract leaves, and the idea of a family tree and what that means for this group.
What art therapy techniques did you do this week?
Monday, September 21, 2009
9/21/09 art therapy technique
Wish Upon a Star
Materials: Pre- cut star shapes apprx 3" wide, silver or white ribbon, hole punch, and markers
Population: geriatric
Technique: Begin by discussing the idea of "wishing upon a star", what does that mean? has anyone ever wished upon a star? maybe even sing some star themed songs. Also discuss what some of the group participants wishes might be.
Hand out two stars to every participant. Ask the group to write a wish on each star, feel free to hand out more stars as necessary. Finally, use the hole punch to create a hole on the right and left angle of the star. Connect all of the stars together using ribbon to tie them. Hang around the room and have each member share what they wished for.
What art therapy techniques did you do this week?
Materials: Pre- cut star shapes apprx 3" wide, silver or white ribbon, hole punch, and markers
Population: geriatric
Technique: Begin by discussing the idea of "wishing upon a star", what does that mean? has anyone ever wished upon a star? maybe even sing some star themed songs. Also discuss what some of the group participants wishes might be.
Hand out two stars to every participant. Ask the group to write a wish on each star, feel free to hand out more stars as necessary. Finally, use the hole punch to create a hole on the right and left angle of the star. Connect all of the stars together using ribbon to tie them. Hang around the room and have each member share what they wished for.
What art therapy techniques did you do this week?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
9/3/09 Art Therapy Technique
Starry Sky Pin Picture
Population: geriatrics
Materials: 8 1/2" x 11" black construction paper, several xeroxed 8 1/2" x 11" connect the dot images, push pins, and cardboard.
Technique: Begin by discussing what a constellation is, ask if anyone has spotted any in the sky, and maybe what constellations can they recall. Place the connect the dot image over the black paper and place both over the piece of cardboard. Instruct the group to each take a push pin and push a hole through each of the dots in the connect the dot image. Be sure to help those who are unable to press a hole through both pieces of paper. When completed hold the black paper up to the window to show off the new constellation!
What art therapy tasks have you done this week?
Population: geriatrics
Materials: 8 1/2" x 11" black construction paper, several xeroxed 8 1/2" x 11" connect the dot images, push pins, and cardboard.
Technique: Begin by discussing what a constellation is, ask if anyone has spotted any in the sky, and maybe what constellations can they recall. Place the connect the dot image over the black paper and place both over the piece of cardboard. Instruct the group to each take a push pin and push a hole through each of the dots in the connect the dot image. Be sure to help those who are unable to press a hole through both pieces of paper. When completed hold the black paper up to the window to show off the new constellation!
What art therapy tasks have you done this week?
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
8/25/09 Art Technique
Shaving Cream Painting
Population: Geriatric
Technique: Begin by gathering shaving cream (scented or original), food coloring, a paint tray liner or similar wide and flat plastic container, large popsicle sticks and thick paper. Spray shaving cream into your plastic container. Have members of the group drip food coloring onto the shaving cream. Next, have members of the group run a popsicle stick through the foam in order to mix some of the colors. Finally, place the paper into the foam and evenly press the paper down. Pull the paper out and scrape off the excess foam to reveal a marbalized brightly colored print. Encourage the group the use the prints as cards to mail to friends and family, cut up in order to create a brand new painting, or even create a group quilt. Discuss how it felt to have no control over what the painting looks like and how it felt to regain that control by turning the painting into another piece of art.
What art therapy techniques did you do this week?
Population: Geriatric
Technique: Begin by gathering shaving cream (scented or original), food coloring, a paint tray liner or similar wide and flat plastic container, large popsicle sticks and thick paper. Spray shaving cream into your plastic container. Have members of the group drip food coloring onto the shaving cream. Next, have members of the group run a popsicle stick through the foam in order to mix some of the colors. Finally, place the paper into the foam and evenly press the paper down. Pull the paper out and scrape off the excess foam to reveal a marbalized brightly colored print. Encourage the group the use the prints as cards to mail to friends and family, cut up in order to create a brand new painting, or even create a group quilt. Discuss how it felt to have no control over what the painting looks like and how it felt to regain that control by turning the painting into another piece of art.
What art therapy techniques did you do this week?
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Thesis Art Task
Guardian Angel
Population: Geriatric
Technique: This task was used in my second to last thesis group. The materials used are clay (Sculpy offers a lot of color options and is relatively easy to use) and a small canvas bag that ties at the top. The topic tonight was about death and loss. We began by discussing losses in life, how one deals with the loss of someone close, how that death occurred, what emotions were felt then vs. now, and if they feel any signs of their loved one watching over them (assuming everyone in the group believes that their loved one has gone on to another place). We also discussed symbols and signs that our loved one is still here in some capacity.
The art task begins by asking everyone in the group to focus on one person in their life who has passed and what animal that person most resembled in behavior. Once everyone in the group has come up with an animal they are then asked to sculpt that animal out of clay. As everyone finishes the project, have each individual share with the group what their animal means and how it resembles their loved one. Finally, (a full ceremony is an option) place the animals into the small canvas bag and discuss what it means to be able to carry a piece of their guardian angel.
What are therapy techniques did you use this week?
Population: Geriatric
Technique: This task was used in my second to last thesis group. The materials used are clay (Sculpy offers a lot of color options and is relatively easy to use) and a small canvas bag that ties at the top. The topic tonight was about death and loss. We began by discussing losses in life, how one deals with the loss of someone close, how that death occurred, what emotions were felt then vs. now, and if they feel any signs of their loved one watching over them (assuming everyone in the group believes that their loved one has gone on to another place). We also discussed symbols and signs that our loved one is still here in some capacity.
The art task begins by asking everyone in the group to focus on one person in their life who has passed and what animal that person most resembled in behavior. Once everyone in the group has come up with an animal they are then asked to sculpt that animal out of clay. As everyone finishes the project, have each individual share with the group what their animal means and how it resembles their loved one. Finally, (a full ceremony is an option) place the animals into the small canvas bag and discuss what it means to be able to carry a piece of their guardian angel.
What are therapy techniques did you use this week?
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