70
EXERCISE
Drawing exercise to describe feelings and spaces ( You can use Maria ’ s story as an example .)
Instruction . Make a drawing of the places a child visits every week . This can open a conversation about the different feelings the child associates with each area .
WORK WITH CHILDREN
Start with drawing a circle for each place : let the child name them : home , school , out with friends , grandma ’ s house .
Then ask the child about which feelings they associate with the places .
Consider : being joyful , sad , frightened , angry , happy , silly , playful … Ask the child if you should add other feelings .
Ask the child to give a colour to each feeling . What is the colour of joy ? Of sadness ? Let the child choose .
For example :
Joyful Sad Happy Angry Safe Scared
Then ask the child to colour each of the places it visits during the week .
HELP AND ACTION
Say : “ Look at the different places you visit . Which colours should we put in which circle ? Think of something that makes you happy / angry / frightened / sad … You can use several colours in each circle .”
When all the areas have been coloured , ask the child : “ Can you tell me what especially makes you have that feeling in , for example , school ? When you are at home ? When you are out with grandma ’ s friends ?”
Home School Out with friends Grandma ’ s house
Remember . This exercise creates an opportunity for the child to tell , but that is not the only purpose . If you work together on different colours and different areas , the child may start to feel that you are interested in its whole life , and are not merely an abuse detective . This game can be a good starting point for talking about strategies to seek safety , obtain help and resources , etc .