More About Art and Creative Output for Children

Creative output such as drawing, singing, songwriting, colouring, painting, writing or building can create a safe distance from traumatic memories. Studies from Drexel University suggest that the simple act of art-making, regardless of skill level, reduces cortisol (or stress levels) in the brain. The child is then less vulnerable and has some level of control when reliving memories. The purpose of creative output is for the child to express how they’re feeling at that moment.

The way children process trauma is often extremely fragmented; they can’t make sense of everything that is happening. Creative expression allows children to access what they can’t see or say. It’s like a back door to healing. It creates a safer environment to express thoughts and emotions. Creative output can open the door for conversations that will help them make sense of what is happening.

Very often, creative output brings praise from others and children learn that taking risks in creative output may result in emotions they can share with pride. Having creative output to symbolize their emotional process is a motivator to take more risks.

If you think this artistic technique is helping your child work through a traumatic past, keep doing it! They can continue drawing, writing and creating every day, for as long as it’s useful. Your child may not only overcome their trauma, but they may even develop a great love for creative expression that lasts a lifetime.