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.