Feelings Fishing
Suggested Group(s): Young
Purpose: To begin exploring feelings
Task/need: Approaching the pain of the loss
Activity Setup Ideas:
- Read The Rainbow Fish Finds His Way by Marcus Pfister. This is a story about a young fish that goes through a scary situation, loses his way, and finds his way back home with the help of some great fish friends. The theme of the book helps to reinforce the idea of unity and working together to help each other through a difficult time.
- Talk about the scary feelings that the fish had and the whole range that a person can have in different situations.
Materials:
- "Fishing Pole": Dowel rod with a piece of yarn or string attached to one end. A strong magnet tied to the end of the string serves as "bait"
- Fish: colorful paper fish cut from construction or other colorful paper. Attach a paperclip to the body of each fish somewhere. Write a feeling on each fish.
Description: Group members sit in a circle to form a "pond." Paper clipped fish are scattered in the center of the circle. Group members take turns "fishing" for a fish out of the "pond." (The magnet must touch the paperclip of the fish for successful fishing to occur!) The feeling on the fish can be read by the child or a volunteer and then the child can be invited to share a time when he/she has felt that feeling. Group members sitting around the "pond" should also be encouraged to share when they have felt or experienced that feeling to build group unity and comfort.
Activity Wrap Up Ideas:
- Thank the children for their participation in the group.
Additional suggestions: The statements on the fish could also be modified to meet other session goals. For example, each fish can also have a question written on it to be discussed by the group.
