ArtMaker: Draw It Out! Incarceration
Help a child express themselves through drawing activities.
It can be so much easier to start a conversation when kids begin it themselves…without words. Share these open-ended drawing activities and ask kids to tell you about what they’ve drawn. There are four different “canvases” to choose from.
- Draw What’s in Your Heart: Kids can show and share feelings or memories that may be just too big for words.
- Make Your Own Journal Cover: Help kids create a front cover for a journal, which can become their special place to write and draw feelings and memories.
- From Me to You: Kids can draw pictures for you to print out and send to the incarcerated parent.
- Picture This: Kids can draw a portrait of their loved one…you can take a turn, too, or you might work together to complete it.
In My Family
This read-aloud story shows how a child may feel when a parent misses a special event.
Little Children, Big Feelings
Use these strategies to help a child open up about their feelings.
Something to Count On
Caring adults and predictable daily activities will help a child feel safe.
Staying Connected
Learn great ways to help keep an incarcerated parent connected to their child.
Ask Me Anything
Telling children the truth goes a long way toward building trust and healing.
Coping With Incarceration
An overview of strategies adults can use to help kids understand incarceration and the changes it brings.
