Why is important for children to draw pictures of things that scare them (otherwise what does the child learn from this?
I don't think it is a good idea for children to draw pictures of things that scare them. Who says that it is important?
I didn't see anything in the above links that convinces me that children should draw pictures of things that scare them.
As a school counselor, I'd be very leery of encouraging children to draw pictures of things that scare them.
Maybe it helps them express themselves on paper
Drawing pictures of things that scare them can be a helpful tool for children to express and manage their fears. Here's why it is important and what children can learn from this activity:
1. Expression of emotions: Drawing allows children to visually represent their emotions when they might not have the words to describe them. By drawing their fears, children have a creative outlet to express and explore their feelings, enabling them to better understand and process their emotions.
2. Coping mechanism: Encouraging children to draw their fears helps them develop a healthy coping mechanism. It allows them to confront their fears in a safe and controlled environment, giving them a sense of control and empowerment over their anxieties.
3. Externalization of fears: By drawing their fears on paper, children can externalize their anxieties and separate them from their internal selves. This can help them distance themselves from their fears, making them easier to manage and overcome.
4. Visualization: Drawing their fears can help children visualize and identify what scares them. This process fosters self-awareness and insight into the specific aspects that cause fear. Understanding the nature of their fears allows children to develop strategies to confront and overcome them.
5. Communication: Sharing the drawings with trusted adults or peers encourages open communication about their fears. It provides an opportunity for supportive discussions, validation of their emotions, and helps children feel understood, thereby fostering a sense of emotional well-being.
Ultimately, drawing pictures of things that scare them helps children develop emotional intelligence, coping mechanisms, and problem-solving skills, while promoting self-expression and communication of their fears.