Crayon Power

When challenges and feelings are BIG, there are little things you can do to help things feel easier for your child. Together with your child, watch this video in which Rosita and her Abuela color quietly together.  

In times of stress, our brains may be “stuck” in fear, anxiety, or anger. Doing a nonverbal activity such as coloring together can help you reconnect and get “unstuck.” Coloring together can help you communicate important ideas to children without saying a word: We can relax together. We can have a good time together. We can concentrate. I am here with you. We can make something beautiful. 

You can invite children to choose what to color first, to give a sense of control when other things are not within their control. Explain that drawing is a great way to show how you feel, using no words at all. 

Try it yourselves: when you both need a little calming, sit with paper and crayons and feel yourselves start to settle. In the video, Abuela draws an outline and Rosita colors it in, but you can color any way you both enjoy. There’s no right or wrong way to color; the goal is to sit and relax together. It’s okay to sit without talking, too!