Even when a child cannot yet
express complex emotions or desires in words, they often can communicate with
images. In my years working in a preschool, we were continually amazed at
nonverbal children’s expressive art or their ability to convey emotions without
language.
I learned the part of the
brain responsible for this – generally on the right, and connected to emotions
– is different from the part responsible for words – generally on the left, and
connected with social skills and language.
The recent rise of vision
boards – hailed by Oprah, among others – taps into this means of expression,
and is proving very useful for families.
A vision board is a board,
or poster, where a person displays images and words representing
whatever they want to be, do, or
posses. It can help clarify what they want and can help them concentrate and
maintain focus on deeper priorities.
Writer Diana Aydin suggests that helping a child create a vision board as a way
for all to gain insight into your child’s motivations and personality. It can
also provide an opportunity for crafting fun.
READ MORE: Help Your Child Keep a Gratitude Journal
For supplies, Aydin suggests
“magazines, old greeting cards, glitter, photos, markers, alphabet letter
stickers, and mementos like old ticket stubs. You will also need scissors,
glue, and boards (ideally size A3). Invest in a few fun extras to get the
creative juices flowing.”
Crucially, she advises sitting back and letting things happen. Susie Moore, life coach and author of What
If It Does Work Out?, says
if you must ask questions, keep them open-ended. Rather than, “Oh look, here’s
a picture of ice cream. You love ice cream. Put it on your board,’” ask “What
would a great vacation look like?” or “Who do you want to be when you grow up?”
These questions will spark imagination.
If your child is old enough
to be unsupervised, they may do better with their own space. Ask them if they need
anything, and beat it, perhaps even to make your own vision board. And finally,
when it’s done, ask them about it: “Why does this make you happy?” “Why is that
word important?”
Perhaps most important:
display the results prominently. And be ready to be surprised.