Can drawing/art activities help young children express their feelings about divorce?

Drawing is a very useful way for young children to express their feelings. They are able to draw pictures of their family and of their homes. You may want to talk with them about the drawing to get more information. You can encourage children to talk about their drawings by asking about the characters in the drawing (“How does he/she feel?” “What would he/she like to say to his/her mom/dad?”) or commenting on aspects of the picture (“This part of the picture has lots of colors, but this part doesn’t have many colors”).

Kim Leon, Ph.D., Former Assistant Professor and State Specialist, Human Development & Family Studies, Human Environmental Sciences Extension, University of Missouri-Columbia

Alison Levitch, Human Development & Family Studies Graduate Student, Human Environmental Sciences Extension, University of Missouri-Columbia

Last updated:09/14/2007