*Watch the Video!* and make a magical flower that opens to share the things you value about yourself and others!
What you’ll need: Paper and / or thin card (slightly porous paper or card works best for this activity - like sugar paper, but other paper will also work), coloured pencils or crayons (markers or paint won't work), scissors, bowl of water
What’s it for?
This activity will help you to focus on what makes you special by producing a flower whose petals magically open when you place it in water to show what you value about yourself. All of us have facts about ourselves that are easy to learn, as well as special qualities that people find out as they get to know us more. Thinking about these positive traits can help us to feel more confident in ourselves and in our 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:
To make your flower, first draw a circle on your paper, then draw some big petals all around it. These can be any shape, just make sure there is a space between each one.
Decorate your flower with your coloured pencils, and then very carefully cut around the outline of your flower. Make sure you cut all the way to the base of each petal. Then carefully fold each petal into the middle of your flower.
On the outside of the petals, write down facts about yourself. These are things that people could get to know easily about you. For example, your favourite animal or colour, or where you live and where your family is from.
Open out all the petals. Next, think about the things people might not know until they get to know you a little better. What are some things that you value about yourself? Things like being a good listener and a good friend, being calm when things are hard, or being creative. Write these down on the inside of each petal.
Finally, think of a word you would like to remember when you are finding things hard. What is something that helps you remember all these positive things you bring to your relationships? This could be something like "loved", "special", or "unique".
To make your flower open, drop it in the bowl of water, and watch the petals open! Just like the flower shows us different things as it opens up, we all have special traits that people will see as they get to know us more.
Extra Activity: After you've made your flower, you might like to make a flower for somebody else. Think about the things you know about this person for the outside petals, and the things you love about them for the inside of the petals. You could write a message in the centre of the flower and show it to them as it opens, or send the person a video of it opening if they don't live in your house.
When you’ve finished, spend a moment reflecting on the activity and ask yourself the following questions:
How did it feel to think about yourself in these three different ways?
How did it feel to see the flower opening revealing your special heart?
Did you learn anything new about yourself while you did this activity?
Conclusion:
This activity helps you to identify the positive qualities in some of the ways you present yourself to the world. This helps you to be more confident and realise that you bring special and unique qualities to all your relationships.
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 Ian Grundy & Heather Dingle © May 2020
Creative Arts Used: Art
Psychological Areas Explored: Self-Exploration, Relationships
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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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