Fear! You can conquer it through "Art Therapy"

Fear! You can conquer it through "Art Therapy"

Dr Abe V Rotor

Paintings by Leo Carlo R Rotor 

Fear! You can conquer it through "Art Therapy"

Our children are filled with imaginary fears which their young minds absorb from movies, TV programs, magazines, and now through social media. It could be for lack of guidance, comfort and love, too. These residues of fear must be removed, and the sooner the better, before they develop into phobia and nightmare which may persist in their adult age. 

NOTE: Art therapy can be integrated in Art Workshops for Children of reputable institutions or tutorship.  

  

Don' let fear persist, 

take it out soonest.

Here's one proven way:

art therapy.

An art workshop 

is the best avenue; 

let the children enjoy,

and draw freely.

Guide them draw

anything in mind; 

happy, sad, fearful,

then you know. 

From these drawings

I talked to the child,

confided with his parents - 

beautiful result!

Children have fears,

no exception, 

it's part of growing up

naturally. 

Fear conquers, 

conquer fear instead; 

draw the kapre - 

now he is gone.

Draw the cobra

now he is tame;

draw a shadow,

it is your own.

Draw a road

lonely and far;

now draw houses 

along the way.

A hospital scene 

with friendly doctors, 

draw your patient

with a smile.

Rejected, lonely,

draw a round table

with people around,

you and your family. ~

You can diagnose your child through his subjects, colors, lines, strokes, his persistence on a certain theme, and his reactions while he is in his artwork. Ordinarily experiences like these are normal. But there are certain indications you may seek professional advice,

This is one way to check the suspected behavior of your child - reactions based on the senses. The two drawings show fear of a imaginary serpent, an influence of such movies as Anaconda (biggest snake in the world). There are many similar causes of fear, among them: Jaws (shark), King Kong (giant gorilla). Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (movie), Travels of Gulliver (novel about giants and dwarfs), Frankenstein (man-made monster), Gabi ng Lagim (Filipino favorite of ghosts and spirits), and many, many more. Let us save our children. (Drawings by Leo Carlo R Rotor in the Grades, ca 1990)