Art is also “a mode of communication” which is “less confronting” for young patients, who find it difficult to convey the depth of their emotions through words (flickr)
They may not always know how to convey what they feel through words, so art can be a medium to help young patients in recovering from injuries and illnesses.
An art therapy programme started by KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) for paediatric inpatients aims to strengthen their resilience and support their emotional recovery by getting them to draw or make crafts.
Using a range of materials and themes, art therapists guide the children to think about their strengths, coping resources and self-help skills. The therapy starts with helping children understand how art can be a form of expression and a way of understanding themselves.
Ms Pearlyn Lee, an art therapist at the hospital’s Rehabilitation Department, explained: “For example, a child is asked to create a superhero mask for himself, while exploring with the therapist what sort of strengths and weaknesses this superhero may possess, and how being this superhero will help him with his difficulties.”
Through art, Ms Lee feels that therapists are able to connect with young patients at a “deeper level”, facilitating closer communication and thus improving the process of healing.
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Category(s):Art Therapy
Source material from Today
