How Do I Support My Child’s Mental Health Through Art? Tips for Parents
By Julie Diamond, OCT
*To learn more about our Art It Out! workshops and sessions offered, contact us HERE*
In a world filled with busy schedules, academic pressures, and social challenges, it's more important than ever to support our children's mental and emotional well-being. One powerful and accessible way to do that? Art.
Art can be a form of self-expression, a stress reliever, and a way for children to make sense of their feelings — especially when words are hard to find. Whether your child is feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or just needs a quiet outlet, here are some simple and meaningful ways you can use art at home to support their mental health.
🖌️ 1. Create a No-Judgment Art Zone
Let your child know that there’s no “right” way to make art. Whether it's messy, abstract, or just a scribble — it's all okay.
Why it helps: This removes pressure and encourages freedom of expression, which can be incredibly therapeutic.
Try this: Set up a corner with paper, crayons, markers, or even recycled materials. Let them lead the way!
🧠 2. Use Art to Explore Feelings
Sometimes, feelings are too big or complex to explain with words. Encourage your child to draw what they’re feeling — or use colours to represent emotions.
Try this: Ask, “If your mood was a colour today, what would it be?” or “Can you draw what your worry looks like?”
Why it helps: This invites self-awareness and opens a door for conversation in a non-invasive, playful way.
🌧️ 3. Use Art for Stress Relief
Repetitive, calming art activities can help soothe the nervous system and lower anxiety.
Try this: Mandala coloring, water painting, collage making, or even finger painting! The focus is on the process, not the product.
Why it helps: These low-pressure activities help ground kids in the present moment.
💬 4. Make Space to Talk — or Not Talk
Creating together can be a great time to talk... or a safe space to just “be.” Let your child know they can share if they want to — but it’s also okay to just make art in silence.
Try this: Work side by side, each doing your own art. Being together in a creative space builds trust and connection.
🧘 5. Add Mindfulness to Art Time
Try blending calming techniques with creativity:
Deep breaths before starting - try ‘Box Breathing’ where you breathe in for a count of 4, holding for a count of 4, and breathing out for a count of 4.
Try soft background music like a soft EDM mix on Spotify or YouTube.
Or a gentle prompt like, “Draw a place where you feel safe.”
Why it helps: Mindful art builds emotional regulation and helps children feel more in control of their inner world.
🎨 6. Celebrate Their Creations — Without Evaluating
Instead of focusing on how “good” the artwork is, celebrate the effort or the feeling behind it.
Say this instead:
“That looks like it felt really fun to make.”
“Wow, I can see how much energy you put into that.”
“Tell me about what’s happening in this picture.”
Why it helps: Kids feel seen and valued for who they are — not for being “perfect.”
❤️ Art as Connection
You don’t have to be an artist to use art to support your child’s mental health. What matters most is the message your child receives: your emotions are welcome here and you are free to express them in your own way.
At Diamond Teachers Group, we believe that creativity is a powerful tool for learning and healing. That’s why we offer workshops like our Art It Out session — blending emotional wellness and creativity in a safe, supportive space. We have a few spots left for this Wednesday’s workshop - sign up HERE.
Want to learn more about upcoming workshops or how we integrate art and mindfulness into tutoring? Get in touch with us — we’d love to hear from you.