Art and activity therapy (art & craft) – - Paramount Child Development Centre

Creative activities such as drawing, painting, modelling, writing and music are all forms of expression. These activities will not always be able to replace the spoken word, but they will be able to structure and stimulate ideas.

1. Drawing, painting and collage –

A chosen group of patients plans and executes the activity with the support or active assistance of the staff.
Guidance and assistance may be provided whenever necessary for motivation.
Lack of guidance may lead to poor motivation and the experience of failure from the start.
Art is focused on the psychological benefits which can be gained through participation.
Examples – imaginary battles and games played out on paper.
A topic should be chosen that encourages patients to recall memories, express awareness of their current situation, and express their hopes and needs.
The occupational therapist, in this context, helps patients to overcome difficulties in formulating and experiencing their ideas.

2. Modelling and sculpture-making –

Making 3-D forms out of clay or other materials can be a useful alternative to drawing, painting and collage work.
A particular advantage of modelling and clay is that it is not difficult to achieve a result that is worthy of recognition.
A simple structure can be very pleasing once given a final shape and finished.
Group projects involving modelling and sculpture can be advised on a large scale and can involve a range of materials and levels of ability.

3. Creative writing –

Some people enjoy writing as a form of recreation.
It can be in the form of simple letter writing, keeping a diary, writing down current accounts and poetry, etc.
Ideas can be expressed in a variety of ways, including group storytelling, playwriting, and puppet characters, among others.
The greatest resource that any individual has is his own previous experience of memories that can be written, given the time and the motivation.