Art and Emotional Wellness (8-11 yrs)

Art & Emotional Wellness

Ages: 8-11

In this course, students will learn how to engage in self-care and emotional well-being through art-

making. The course instructor is a Registered Art Therapist and Licensed Practicing Counselor who

will teach students three ways to measure their body's biological responses to the art-making

process so they can better understand what is happening inside their bodies and minds - even

when they do not have words to explain it.

Students will be taught how to recognize what helps them feel more connected, safe, secure, and

comfortable as well as how to shift towards these emotions when they feel stressed or tense.

The goal is to help children develop greater self-awareness and learn healthy ways to understand

and manage their emotional experiences through creativity.

Note: This course is being offered to two age groups. Although the course description is the same for both classes, please note that in practice, the approach will be modified/differentiated for developmental appropriateness for each age group.

Your Instructor: Christina Heyworth holds a master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in Integrative Biology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Provisional Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P). Christina brings together art, counseling, and mind-body approaches to support emotional expression, self-awareness, and well-being. She enjoys creating opportunities for children to explore their creativity and discover new ways to express themselves.