Children expressing themselves

Creative activities involving play, art, storytelling, and music are all normal and natural ways for children to interact with the world around them, and they can be powerful resources for facilitating and enhancing communication. They offer a forum for children to express their feelings, concerns, and questions through creative means, as well as providing a basis for exploring their experiences further. Given that children’s normal activities and outlets for expression of their feelings are often disrupted or reduced as a result of their illness or disability, it is even more important for creative activities and therapies to be provided and encouraged in all contexts of the child’s life, in hospital, hospice, school, and at home. These activities can be individually focused, family centred, or provided through group activities. In this chapter we review the clinical application and effectiveness of these creative therapeutic techniques in promoting expression and communication with children.