Conquering Anxiety and Regulating Emotions through Play/Art Therapy

Funded Jan 16, 2024

I am writing this letter to thank you for your generous donation to my school counseling program. My students were so excited to play with the beautiful dollhouse (Including furniture and multicultural family sets), board games, and draw/color with the replenished art supplies. The books from A Little SPOT of Emotions Book set have been my quick go to for teaching and helping students become emotionally intelligent. They are learning how to express their emotions appropriately and how to self-regulate. The 8 mini emotion plush toys- companion to the book set have been a helpful communication tool for my non-verbal, and bashful students to use during sessions and interventions. I was most excited about receiving the tissues and disinfectant wipes. It has helped keep my office, toys, and furniture sanitized and free of germs. Tissue boxes go so fast because not only do my sick kiddos use it but also overwhelmed parents or teachers that meet with me for some guidance or a lending ear; so I am happy to be prepared this time around.

My most surprising moment was to see my fifth grade boys and girls want to play with the dollhouse; I thought they would feel too cool for that but I am glad I was wrong. Many expressed that they never had a chance to play with a dollhouse when they were younger. Most of them just like to organize the house and make little additions to the house like food from paper, and add tiny pictures in the bedrooms. It is fun to watch them add their own style to the mini rooms. I also want to share that the dollhouse is having a positive impact on two students with selective mutism. I have witnessed them laugh for the first time, smile, and even whisper a word or two to their peers while playing during separate sessions. The shock on their peers face was priceless. I truly loved hearing their little voices. The dollhouse has also been a great tool to teach my students how to be patient and wait their turn, share, and to be gentle and caring when playing with the dolls and furniture. I read somewhere that play is the child's most basic way of self-expression and with classroom expectations of having children behave as small adults; this dollhouse has given them the opportunity to be a child and play in their own dream world.

Finally, the board games are helping students learn and practice social skills through conversation, sharing/accepting ideas of others. In addition, students are engaging in drawing out their feelings during sessions with the colored construction paper, colored pencils, and very popular special effects crayons. Having the art supplies, books, sanitary items, board games and the dollhouse you donated has increased my ability to be a more effective and fun school counselor. Your donations are already making an impact in my program; I am seeing reduced behavioral issues. We appreciate you! Thank you again for your generosity.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Canales