HOPE Mobile
Suggested Group(s): All
Purpose: To allow the children to discuss the concept of holding on to HOPE as well as Children's Grief Awareness Day.
Task/Need: Relate the loss to a context of meaning, continued support
Activity Set-up Ideas:
- Ask the group what hope means to them and what brings them hope at the Caring Place/outside the Caring Place.
- Instruct the group to think of messages of hope they may want to write to their loved one or other grieving children.
Materials:
- Two large butterfly poster board cut-outs
- Markers
- Scissors
Description: Tell the group that they are going to work together to make a mobile out of the two butterfly cut-outs. Have the children write messages on each butterfly and decorate them. After everyone is finished, ask if any of the group members would like to share their message. Then, cut small slits at the top of one butterfly and the bottom of the other butterfly so they will fit together. Have the group decide what to do with the three-dimensional butterfly mobile (hang in group room, display in forum, etc.).
Activity Wrap Up Ideas:
- Ask group members what it was like to write their messages and listen to the other messages written by their group.
- Discuss what the group would say to other grieving children/families to give them hope.
- Talk about what Children’s Grief Awareness Day means to them.
Adaptations: This activity could be adapted for pre-school children by allowing them to draw or use stickers or clipped magazine photos for their messages instead of writing them.
