Whether it is back to school time, before a test, or anticipating a doctor’s appointment, our kids get ANXIETY! Below are some ways that coloring can help.
We may not always notice how anxiety manifests in our children. Depending on their personalities, they may tell you how they are feeling or show other signs that they are feeling nervous or anxious.
I am definitely not always tuned in, but I have started to notice when my own kids feel anxious or are worried about something. My girl often gets quiet and pensive, while my boy gets antsy and will straight up say, “My tummy feels nervous!” When I notice these signs, I try to ask them more about it. I say open ended things like, “What’s been bothering you lately?” or “What are you thinking about?” Sometimes they feel like talking… other times they don’t.
I have a friend whose child has always loved coloring and will sit for hours and work diligently on a beautiful coloring piece. My children have never been this focused. But I wanted to find some new ways to help them when they are nervous. I love coloring and know that it has a calming effect on my own worrisome thoughts. So I researched it and found the following 10 ways that coloring can be like therapy… for kids AND adults. (Don’t miss our FREE coloring pages printables.)
1. Reduce Stress – When your mind is busy on coloring, the stressful and negative thoughts can be reduced.
“Coloring has the ability to relax the fear center of your brain, the amygdala. It induces the same state as meditating by reducing the thoughts of a restless mind.” (from Health Benefits of Coloring for Adults)
2. Reduce Anxiety – By giving the brain a break from worrying thoughts, anxiety and panic can be reduced while coloring.
“Repeating fine motor movements can allow the brain to focus on returning to that movement rather than to anxious thoughts.” (from How Coloring Calms Children with Anxiety and Special Needs)
3. Improve Focus – It requires concentration to color in shapes and lines. With the motivation to finish a coloring page, it can be a great exercise in focusing for kids.
“It has been proven that children who spend their time coloring have better concentrations and focus skills.” (from 13 Amazing Advantages Of Coloring Pages For Your Child’s Development)
4. Encourage Mindfulness – By being aware of their own thoughts and how they affect us, kids can learn how to change their thoughts to affect their mood.
“Coloring can be a simple, straight-forward way to introduce children and teens to the benefits of mindfulness as part of their daily routines. Fun, cheap and accessible, the whole family can take part together or separately.” (from Can Mindful Colouring Help Calm Anxious Kids?)
5. Calming Effect – Because of the repetitive nature of coloring, it can be very soothing and calming to both kids and adults.
“Coloring is a rhythmic activity that calms the brain of all ages and folks of all abilities.” (from BENEFITS OF COLORING FOR KIDS, TEENS, AND ADULTS)
6. Release Emotions – With a relaxed mind, harder emotions are allowed to come up and be dealt with.
“Coloring can have a profoundly therapeutic and calming effect on children as they shift their focus to concentrate on finishing their picture. This peaceful activity can provide an outlet for processing emotions and take the focus off challenging situations.” (from Benefits of Coloring for Children and Adults)
7. Be Present – Taking attention away from our own thoughts allows us to live in the moment and enjoy the task at hand.
“Attention flows away from ourselves. A simple act, such as coloring, takes your attention away from yourself (and those things that are stressing you out!) and onto the present-moment event. ‘In this way, it is very much like a meditative exercise,’ Dr. Bea says.” (from 3 Reasons Adult Coloring Can Actually Relax Your Brain)
8. Whole Brain Workout – By using both creative and organizational sides of your brain, coloring can be a great brain expanding exercise.
“Coloring is not a “left” brain or “right” brain thing. It is a task that exercises both hemispheres, something akin to a “full brain” workout.” (from 10 Benefits of Adult Coloring Books on Stress & Anxiety)
9. Boost Confidence – You know that feeling when you finish something? It is rewarding to see the final product after working hard.
“Kids calm down coloring almost instantly, freeing themselves with joyful thoughts and a sense of accomplishment. Their self-esteem gets a boost.” (from 9 Reasons Kids Calm Down Coloring)
10. Improves Motor Skills – Holding small crayons and filling in tiny areas with color is a great practice to build hand and eye coordination.
“Fine motor skill development can help children write more skillfully as well as manipulate small objects. They can then build on these skills to become better typists and more adept in sports and other activities.” (from 10 Benefits of Coloring Pages for Kids’ Psychology and Development)
There you have it! 10 ways that coloring is beneficial and therapeutic for both you and your kids! I have a new motivation to break out some crayons and markers with the kids.
I’m excited to see how coloring can help my kids stay focused for the new school year, since it will be the first time being in person in over 18 months.
Which benefits are you most excited about for your kids? Comment Below!