How Art Therapy Helps Children Express Big Feelings
When working with little ones, words don’t always come easily. Big emotions can be overwhelming, and the language to explain what’s happening inside often isn’t fully there yet. That’s where art therapy becomes something of a bridge—a way for littles to express the things they might not know how to say.
But it’s not just about making art; it’s about listening.
In the clinic, we often weave art therapy with parts work. Parts work is about understanding that we’re not just one thing—we all have different aspects of ourselves that show up in different ways. Littles might have a part that feels scared, a part that gets angry, or a part that wants to hide. These parts aren’t bad or broken; they’re just trying to help in the best way they know how.
Through drawing, painting, or creating, these parts find a voice.
A little might draw their “angry part” as a stormy cloud or their “sad part” as a droopy flower. And just like that, what felt overwhelming starts to feel more manageable—because now, it’s outside of them, something they can see, hold, and even talk to.
Art becomes the safe container for exploration, and as they engage with their creations, healing starts to unfold:
They begin to understand their emotions without shame.
They learn that every part of them has a role, even the hard ones.
They discover that they’re allowed to feel—and that they’re not alone in it.
The most beautiful moments often come when they realize their parts aren’t stuck. That stormy cloud? It can shrink when someone listens. That droopy flower? It might need a little sunshine or water.
Art gives littles a way to connect with themselves, to tell their story without the pressure of finding the “right” words. And as we hold space for those stories, we remind them that all of their feelings are valid, that every part of them belongs, and that healing is always possible—even in the smallest hands.
