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Feelings Plates

Suggested Group(s): Middle/Teen/Adult

Purpose: Identifying and coping with feelings associated with the loss.

Task/need: Moving towards the pain of the loss

Activity Setup Ideas:

  • Process with the group and discuss the different emotions they have felt since their loss.
  • Are there times when they feel angry or frustrated and don’t know what to do with these feelings?

Materials:

  • Ceramic Plates
  • Paint/Markers
  • Pillow Cases
  • Hammer
  • Plastic container

Description:

  • Have the group write the various feelings they have experienced since their loss on the plate.
  • Allow the group members to share what they have written on the plate.
  • Place the plate in a pillow case.
  • The group member can use the hammer to break the plate (3-4 hits).
  • Dump the pieces into a container for them to see how their feelings have changed.
  • The kids/adults may want to take before and after photos.

Activity Wrap Up Ideas:

  • Process with the children what it was like for them to break the plates.
  • What was it like to see their feelings on the broken pieces of the plate.
  • Discuss other ways they can manage difficult or overwhelming feelings.