Overview of Creative Closing Activities for Kid’s Group Therapy

Creating closure in kid’s group therapy is important for both children and therapists. Here are some benefits of Kid’s Group Therapy Closing Activities:

Emotional Resolution: Closure provides an opportunity for group members to express their feelings about the end of the therapy session or group. This can help them process their experiences and emotions, leading to emotional resolution.
Reflection: It allows participants to reflect on their journey throughout the group therapy process. They can acknowledge their growth, the relationships formed, and the insights gained during sessions.
Integration of Learning: Closure activities help individuals integrate what they have learned in therapy into their lives. This can lead to more effective coping strategies and improved mental health after the therapy ends.
Connection: It fosters a sense of belonging and connection among group members. By sharing their experiences and feelings, participants can reinforce their bonds and provide mutual support.
Future Focus: Closing with an activity encourages participants to look forward. They can set personal goals, ensuring they leave the group with a positive outlook and a plan for continued growth.
Therapist Feedback: For therapists, closure provides a chance to offer feedback and insights about the group’s dynamics and individual growth, which can be valuable for both the participants and their future groups.

Including closure activities can significantly enhance the therapeutic experience and leave participants feeling empowered and ready to take on new challenges.

Creative Kid’s Group Therapy Closing Activities

1. Memory Sharing Circle

The Memory Sharing Circle is a creative kid’s group therapy closing activity where participants gather in a circle to share meaningful memories related to their experiences in the group. This activity fosters emotional connection and reflection, allowing individuals to express their feelings and insights. It encourages participants to listen actively and support one another, reinforcing the bonds formed during therapy. To implement this activity, facilitators can set a comfortable environment, using a breathing ball or singing bowl, provide prompts if needed, and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to share.

2. Group Gratitude Jar

Crafting and Filling the Jar

Materials Needed: Gather a jar (any size), colorful paper, pens, and decorative items like ribbons or stickers to personalize the jar.
Instructions:
1. Personalization: Encourage participants to decorate the jar with their names or positive affirmations to make it feel special.
2. Writing Gratitude Notes: Ask each participant to write down things they are grateful for, whether related to their therapy experience or personal life. They can use different colors of paper for variety.
3. Filling the Jar: Once everyone has written their notes, have them fold the papers and place them in the jar. This can be done in a circle, allowing participants to share their notes if they feel comfortable.
Reflection: At the end of the session, participants can take turns reading a few notes from the jar, to develop a sense of community and shared positivity.

This activity not only encourages gratitude but also reinforces connections among group members, making it a meaningful closing exercise.

3. Personal Reflection Letters

Writing to Future Selves

In this activity, participants write letters to their future selves, reflecting on their experiences in the group. This exercise encourages introspection and helps children articulate their goals moving forward.

Implementation Tips:

Materials Needed: Provide participants with paper, pens, and envelopes.
Instructions:Ask participants to take a few moments to think about what they have learned during the kid’s therapy group sessions and how they envision their future.Encourage them to write a letter addressing their future selves, including their goals, dreams, and any advice they would like to give.Once completed, participants can seal their letters in envelopes to be opened at a later date, perhaps during a future group session or personal milestone.

Sharing and Insights:

If comfortable, children can share parts of their letters with the group, to foster a sense of connection.
This activity not only promotes self-reflection but also reinforces the commitment to personal growth and the lessons learned during therapy.

Incorporating personal reflection letters into your group therapy closing activities can enhance emotional resolution and provide participants with a reminder of their group therapy sessions.

4. Creative Art Expression

There are many ways to create art in kids group therapy, you can use various art activities such as:

Drawing or Painting: Provide participants with canvases, paints, colored pencils, or markers to express their feelings visually.
Collage Making: Supply magazines, scissors, glue, and paper for participants to create collages that represent their experiences or emotions.
Sculpting: Use clay or play dough for participants to mold their thoughts and feelings into forms.
Photography: Encourage participants to take photos that symbolize their journey or significant moments during therapy.
Mixed Media: Allow participants to combine different materials (e.g., fabric, paper, natural elements) to create unique art pieces.

Incorporating creative art expression into your group therapy closing activities can provide a visual representation of child’s group therapy journey.

5. Celebration of Achievements

Recognizing Individual and Group Growth is fundamental.

In this kid’s group therapy closing activity, participants take turns sharing their personal achievements and milestones reached during the group therapy sessions. This can include breakthroughs in understanding, improvements in coping strategies, or positive changes in their lives. Celebrating these achievements fosters a sense of accomplishment and reinforces the progress made throughout the therapy process.

Tips for an Encouraging Space:

Create a Supportive Environment: Ensure that the setting is warm and welcoming, allowing participants to feel safe sharing their experiences.
Use Positive Reinforcement: Encourage group members to acknowledge and celebrate each other’s successes, to build community and support.
Incorporate Visuals: Consider using a board or wall where participants can post their achievements, creating a visual representation of the group’s growth.
Facilitate Group Discussions: After sharing, facilitate a discussion on how these achievements can be built upon in the future, encouraging participants to set new goals.

Incorporating a celebration of achievements into your group therapy closing activities can leave participants feeling empowered and motivated for their future.

6. Vision Board Activity

Materials Needed:

Magazines, scissors, glue, and poster boards or large sheets of paper.
Markers, stickers, and other decorative items for personalization.

Instructions:

Gather Materials: Provide participants with a variety of magazines and art supplies to choose from.
Create Vision Boards: Ask participants to cut out images, words, and phrases that resonate with their goals and dreams. They can arrange these cutouts on their boards in a way that feels meaningful to them.
Reflection: Once completed, participants can share their vision boards with the group, discussing the significance of the images and words they chose.

Group Discussions on Goals:

Facilitate a discussion on how participants can work towards the goals represented on their vision boards. Encourage them to set actionable steps and timelines for achieving these aspirations.

Incorporating a vision board activity into your group therapy closing activities can enhance motivation and provide a visual representation of participants’ hopes for the future.

7. Final Check-In Circle

Purpose: The final check-in circle provides an opportunity for each participant to express their reflections on the group experience, share any lingering thoughts, and articulate their feelings about the closure of the therapy process.

Implementation Tips:

Set the Tone: Create a safe and supportive environment where participants feel comfortable sharing.
Guiding Questions: Use open-ended questions to facilitate discussion, such as: What was your favorite part of today’s group therapy session? How do you feel about the progress you’ve made? What do you want to learn next time?
Encourage Participation: Ensure that everyone has a chance to speak. Using a breathing ball, singing bowl or other fun prop. Respect those who may prefer to listen and not share.
Summarize Key Points: At the end of the check-in, summarize the main themes shared by participants to validate their insights and connections.

Facilitating Open Dialogue: Encourage participants to respond to each other’s reflections, to enhance support as they finish their therapy session.

Incorporating a final check-in round into your group therapy closing activities can helps emotional reflection, enhances learning, and provide participants with a sense of closure and connection.

Conclusion

Recap of Activities

Incorporating closure exercises in group therapy is essential for emotional reflection and reinforcing the progress made throughout the sessions. Here’s a summary of effective activities:

Celebration of Achievements: Participants share successes, creating a supportive environment that encourages positive reinforcement and community building.
Vision Board Activity: This creative exercise allows participants to visualize their goals through art. By sharing their vision boards, they can discuss ways to achieve their goals.
Final Check-In Round: A reflective session where participants express their thoughts on the group experience and feelings about the closure of the therapy process. This promotes reflection, learning and strengthens connections among participants.

Incorporating these activities not only enhances motivation but also provides a sense of closure, empowering children to recognize their successes and incorporate them into their daily lives. Want to learn more about our group therapy for kids? Sign up for trial class – your child can tour the studio and meet the teachers while trying fun aerial poses and mindfulness activities.