Web of Feeling
Suggested Group(s): Middle
Purpose: To explore and express feelings in order to be able to approach the pain of a death
Task/need: Approaching the pain of the loss
Activity Setup Ideas:
- Begin with the tables covered with light colored paper. The participants are asked to spread out and draw a large open shape of their choosing, and then write in their space areas feelings using each letter of the alphabet (Angry, Bored, Claustrophobic, Depressed, etc.).
Materials:
- Clean paper to cover the table
- Two balls of different colored yarn — (one to represent positive feelings, and one to represent negative feelings)
- Tape
- Pens or markers or pencils
Description: The initial focus of this activity is to identify a range of feelings, both inside and outside of self, using the alphabet as a structure. The second task is to identify the feelings that a group might have in common and those that are not held in common. The third focus is the interchange and discussion that ensues.
The range of feelings experienced when a person in a family dies is wide, but ultimately individual. Each person tends to focus on his or her own myriad of feelings, often in internal isolation.
Once the participants complete their lists, select one child to begin to share and compare the different feeling they have for different letters. The first child begins by listing the feeling that he/she has for the letter A. As a group identify whether it is a positive or negative feeling, and have the child attach the corresponding color of yarn to the word in front of him/her. Then ask if other children have the same word, and pass the yarn to others sharing that word to tape to their words. Repeat until everybody’s words are attached to one color of another of yarn.
Following the sharing of each new word, the facilitators should pose a question to generate discussion. The questions can be spontaneous based on the word chosen, but always related to some aspect of the children’s grief experiences and processes.
Activity Wrap Up Ideas:
- Take a moment to sit back and look at the web as a group, noting the yarns that pull the group together.
- Thank the group members for their participation.
