Parent Child Dyad Art Therapy
Parent and child begin a painting together
This is a a simple and effective attachment-based modality based on the work of Canadian art therapist Lucille Proulx.
Known in full as Parent-Child Dyad Art Therapy, it involves a parent and child pair (the dyad) playing together to create an artwork, or share a sensory experience.
Similar to Filial Play Therapy, Parent Child Dyad therapy is a child led approach designed to :
strengthen attachment ties,
raise parents’ awareness of age-appropriate child development stages,
increase parent’s confidence and self-esteem, so they see themselves as “good enough” parents.
What happens in a session?
A dyadic session provides an opportunity for parent and child to engage together in creative play, either as one family with the therapist, or within a group setting where each family pair participates in the same given art or craft activity. The focus is on having fun, as each pair co-create something special and unique.
The activities allow for an easygoing “back and forth” or turn-taking interaction, and the approach helps remove any anxiety imposed on parents by having to produce a work of art.
One of the most important features is that parents are encouraged to follow the child’s lead during the art making process, and avoid the role of instructor. Instead they are asked to mirror the developmental abilities of the child, as they co-create the artwork. Another outcome is that both child and parent find enjoyment and delight in being creative together.
Parent Child Art Therapy creates an opportunity for the parent to really attune with their child, as they are likely to be reminded of their own childhood experiences. The child feels this attunement as being “at one” or in harmony with their parent. The activity can also lead to a deeper understanding for the parent of their child’s current abilities and developmental level.
In all sessions there is an emphasis on providing opportunities for tactile/touch connection between parent and child, especially when using sensory materials. Groups also provide opportunities for parents and children to connect with each other as they chat about the artwork or the sensory experience.
Activities, appropriate to the age of the child or children, might include:
collage, clay sculpture, sensory play with clay or sand - hiding and finding objects, burying each other’s hands, making nests or safe places, playdough or “goop” making, painting with hands, brushes, or watercolour crayons, bubble blowing onto paper to make an art work, finger painting on aluminium foil and taking monoprints.
The art work complete
In 2024 Pip has co-facilitated group parent-child sessions at the invitation of a local Northern Rivers playgroup. The children were aged from 8 months to 5 years.
Some of the most observable benefits of these group art and craft activities, have been the delight each parent child pair finds, when they share a sensory activity or create something new and original together, along with child-to-child interactions and the parent-to-parent connections and conversations made while everyone works together.
Contact Heart’s Light to book a family parent-child session, or discuss the possibility of Pip delivering individual parent-child art therapy or facilitating a parent-child group with your service.
