Explore the importance of memories and the positive imprint that they leave in helping us to grow and develop.
What you’ll need: Props from around the house that represent a particular memory, piece of paper and pens.
What’s it for?
This activity focuses on the significance of positive memories and how these mould us into the person that we are and continue to be. It also highlights the process of understanding ourselves more closely and deeply in terms of the feelings that memories might arouse and how this makes us feel more resilient in managing everyday situations and approaching relationships.
Check In:
Notice how you’re feeling right now. Close your eyes and notice what’s going on inside your mind and body.
How are you feeling?
What are you thinking?
How does your body feel?
Method:
It is time to take a trip down memory lane by journeying around your household
Does anything spring out at you - pictures on the wall, books on the bookshelf, the teddy-bear in your bedroom, favourite CD, magnet on the fridge or an ornament?
Make a small collection of items that play a part in creating your memories - check with the grown up in your household if anything is too precious to pick up or move
How you present your collection is up to you - they can be lined up together, placed carefully in an arch or circle on the table
It might help to order the items chronologically so from your earliest memory to your more recent memory
Look closely at all the items grouped together and now let’s make this into an art-piece that collates all these special memories
Using pens and paper can you capture an image of your collection? Leave some space near the bottom of the page for some writing
In the space left at the bottom of the page can you write a few short sentences or a poem that takes us on your memory journey and the nurturing and positive feelings that came from this
Now safely return all the memories that you collected and come back to the art-piece that has become a summary of all your memories together
Is there anyone in particular who has been a big part of these memories?
Do you feel you want to thank this person for their support and guidance in achieving these memories?
Extra Activity:
If you answered yes to the final question above, perhaps you could write a short letter to the person who was there to support you in creating such positive memories or is that person close to you now in your household and could you share this appreciation personally either verbally or in a written form whichever you feel most comfortable with?
When you’ve finished, spend a moment reflecting on the activity and ask yourself the following questions:
How did it feel to look back on particular positive memories from your life?
Did you immediately associate an object with a memory?
Did you change your mind about any items that you wanted for your collection?
Do you think there was a reason behind this decision?
Did you immediately associate a person or people with your memory?
Have you learnt more about being resilient which is about coping with the world and recovering from something difficult in your life?
Do you think it is important to reflect on our positive memories and why?
Did the process of thinking about positive memories trigger more difficult events?
If this was the case, it might be useful to refer to the CATcorner website and access the post called ‘Worry Monster’ or ‘Box up my worries’ to support these feelings
Conclusion:
This activity supports the process of gathering memories and keeping them together in a concrete piece of work that can be looked at and reflected on at any-time you feel necessary. In thinking about your memories, this can build a sense of self-esteem and resilience in making relationships, in managing difficult feelings with a strong grounding and inner strength.
Take a moment to notice how you are feeling at the end of this activity. Did you discover anything surprising? What can you take away to make you feel better about yourself from this activity?
If you would like to, share something about your experience with this activity with someone you live with! Ask the person who looks after you to send us an email if you have any questions or comments about the activity, or would like to send us any pictures (info@catcorner.co.uk). Don't forget to subscribe for more fun CAT activities!
Created by Sarah Kong © May 2020
Creative Arts Used: Art
Psychological Areas Explored: Emotional Wellbeing, Relationships and Self-Exploration
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These activities could be done by children of all ages, but some may need the support of their parent or carer to read the instructions or complete the activity safely.
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