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.
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.
Caregiver Workshop: Taking Care of Yourself
Caregivers can take better care of children when they have support from friends, family, and community.
Coping With Incarceration
An overview of strategies adults can use to help kids understand incarceration and the changes it brings.
