Activity for Children with Anxiety

"Light up the Shadows"

As our eyes focus on various objects, we have a choice to find familiar shapes that are positive or negative. Why is it that so many of us, especially children with anxiety, make those objects scary or harmful?

That’s easy; our bodies are designed to protect us and keep us safe. It is always on the lookout for possible danger “lurking in the shadows”. This is a good thing, but sometimes our bodies set off false alarms. This is just like a car alarm that is very sensitive and might be set off even if someone just brushes by the car, but has no intention of breaking into it.

If your child is afraid of the dark here are some fun ideas to try with them:

1. Explain how bodies work, and that being afraid of something is how our bodies protect us. Talk about how sometimes our bodies might be a little OVERPROTECTIVE.

2. Have your child sit with you and turn the lights off. Try to make out shapes in the room and guess what they are. Some things they name might be scary. For example, a coat rack with jackets hung on it might look like a big, hairy person in the room; or shiny handles on a dresser might look like eyes staring back at them. Help your child reconstruct funny, positive images in what they are seeing. For example, the shiny handles might be hidden gems, or the coat rack might be a money tree. Then turn the lights back on and talk about how the things that you imagine might make you afraid or make you laugh - but the reality is that things don't change, regardless if the lights are on or off. They are what they are.

3. Shadow Art: Use a flashlight in the dark and create different images on a wall with your bodies- some might look scary and some might be silly. Discuss how our imaginations can create anxiety and fear or create something fun that makes us feel happy. Encourage your child to use their imaginations to change things that might look frightening in the dark into something that is just the opposite. Creativity is encouraged!