Following on from The Big Book of Therapeutic Activity Ideas for Children and Teens, this book provides EVEN MORE imaginative and fun activity ideas, lessons, and projects for use with difficult and challenging children and teens aged 5+. From ice breakers and group starters to bibliotherapy and monthly character education activities, there are over 90 ideas designed to unleash the creativity of children and teens, and teach social skills, strategies to control anger and anxiety, conflict resolution, positive thinking skills, and more. They make use of art, scientific experiments, expressive arts and books, and many come with photocopiable handouts. The activities can be used in a variety of settings, and they are adaptable for use with both individuals and groups. This is a practical resource bursting with ideas, and it will be invaluable for anyone working with children and teens, including school counsellors, teachers, social workers, youth workers, arts therapists, and psychologists.

Contents:

• Introduction.
• 1. Ice Breakers/Group Starters. Status Update. Like, Dislike, Share. Picture Perfect. Visual Group Contract. Introducing Me and You. Hashtag Happenings. Selfie. Give Me Five. Beginnings Bowl.
• 2. Shape It Up Series. Thinking Outside the Box and Boxed In. Oval Office. We’re All Stars. Me Made Out of Shapes. On My Heart Now. Going in Circles. Mandalas of Mindfulness. Diamond in the Rough. Completing the Circle. Love Triangle. Reaching for Our Stars. Star Dust. Back to Square 1. What Gets Me Bent Out of Shape?. Getting in Shape.
• 3. Visual and Expressive Arts Activities. A Day in My Shoes. A Letter about Me. We’re All Pieces of the Puzzle. Tree of Life Timeline. Positive Word Art. These are a Few of My Favourite Things. Positive Thought Sunburst Art. Handprint Thank You Notes. Paint Chip Reminder Strips. Positive Thought Bucket. Musical Chairs Art. Helping. Hands Mitten Friend. Inside My Head Silhouette. Weather Emotion Paper Plate. High Fives for My Friends. Meaningful Monogram. Positive Pom Pom Letters. Thumbprint Tree. Kindness Chain. Worry Worms. Positive Thoughts Flower. Shiny, Happy People. Bad Hair Day. True Emotions Come Through. We All Blend Together Colour Wheel. Butterflies in My Stomach. Connecting the Dots. Reminder Rings. Race Car Art.
• 4. Month by Month Character Education Activities.
  • January. Putting My Best Foot Forward in the New Year (New Year’s Day). We all have a Hand in Making the World a Better Place Handprint Wreath.
  • February. String of Hearts. Pieces of My Heart Mosaic.
  • March. Rainbow of Different Colours. Pot of Gold Goals Collage.
  • April. Growing Seeds of Health and Wellness. Relaxation Playdough Balloons.
  • May. Mother’s Day Flower. A Mother’s Day Interview.
  • June. Cooling Down My Anger Ice Cream Party. Positive Thinking Sunshine.
  • July. I’m Feeling Crabby. Happy as a Clam.
  • August. Keys to Success. Kicking Off the New School Year with Good Behaviour.
  • September. An Apple A Day. Nature Scavenger Hunt.
  • October. What a Tangled Web We Weave. Melting Away Our Anger Mini Pumpkins.
  • November. Letting Go of Negativity Leaf Art. Thankfulness Kits.
  • December. We’re Letting Our Lights Shine. Salt Dough Ornaments to Share. Overview of My Year.
• 5. Bibliotherapy Activities:
  • Stand Tall, Molly Lou Mellon by Patty Lovell (author) and David Catrow (illustrator).
  • The Little Engine That Could by Wally Piper.
  • Oh, The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss.
  • The Duckling Gets a Cookie?! By Mo Willems.
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
  • The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.
  • Mean Jean the Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill (Author) and Laura Huliska-Beith (Illustrator).
• 6. Hands-On Activities. Egging It On. Broken Beauty. Colour Me . Stomp Rocket De-escalation. Rainbow Pots. Blowing Away Our Worries. Releasing Negativity. Covered in Slime. Erupting Anger.
• Appendix.

 Author Bio:

Lindsey Joiner is a Positive Behaviour Specialist with Meridian Public School District in Mississippi (USA). She is a Licensed Professional Counsellor, National Certified Counsellor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor. Many of the activities in this book were developed as part of Lindsey’s experience conducting and supervising day treatment programs for children and teens in a community mental health centre. She discovered that creative activities helped to engage and motivate the children and teens, improving their enjoyment and attendance in therapeutic sessions.