4 February 2025
CELEBRATING CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 2025
At Noah's Ark Children's Hospice, we believe in the power of self-expression to support children's emotional well-being. As part of Children’s Mental Health Week 2025, themed "Know Yourself, Grow Yourself," we are dedicated to helping the children we support understand and express their feelings through a range of therapies designed to give them a ‘voice’.
THE POWER OF CREATIVE THERAPIES
Our Art, Music and Drama and Movement Therapies are designed to encourage self-awareness and emotional growth. These therapies provide a holistic approach to care by addressing children's individual physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs.
BRINGING "THE COLOUR MONSTER" TO LIFE
Recently, our Therapies Team created an immersive experience inspired by the beloved book "The Colour Monster" by Anna Llenas. The story follows a Colour Monster who is overwhelmed by mixed emotions but learns to sort them into jars, each representing a different feeling: happiness, sadness, fear, calm, anger, and love. To bring this story to life, our therapists designed a special interactive day filled with storytelling, drama, music, and creative exploration.
Live Performance:
The day began with an engaging theatrical performance where drama and music brought The Colour Monster’s journey to life, making emotions feel real and relatable for the children.
Sensory and Creative Activities:
Children explored specially designed rooms, each representing a different emotion. A vibrant, energetic space featured uplifting music, a calming room encouraged relaxation, and a high-energy area allowed children to express themselves freely through drumming and other instruments.
Art and Self-Expression:
In the Creative Room, children crafted their own Colour Monsters using various materials, encouraging conversations about their emotions in a supportive environment. By stepping into The Colour Monster’s world, the children engaged in a playful yet deeply meaningful experience that helped them better understand their feelings and communicate them with others. For a glimpse into our creative therapies, check out this behind-the-scenes video of the day
