Offering In-Person and Virtual Sessions for Couples

Gratitude Bunting Using Emotion Coaching

Dec 20, 2024

(Image from: www.artfulparent.com)

The holiday season can be a wonderful time to focus on cultivating more love and
appreciation in your family. So, grab some art materials and take some time to connect
with your kids! It’s going to be worth it!

Art Materials

  • standard 9” x 12” watercolor paper
  • Basic colored pencil set
  • Basic watercolor set
  • Basic watercolor brushes
  • Cup for water
  • Scissors
  • Hole punch
  • Yarn or string

Emotion Coaching Tips

  • Sit down next to your child and have a discussion about what you are all grateful for.
  • During this conversation, prepare for emotions to arise. When they do, recognize the
    emotions are a great opportunity to connect.
  • Listen to your child with empathy and understanding.
  • Offer validation of your child’s feelings, positive or negative, and reflect their
    expressions of gratitude.
  • Help your child learn to label their feelings, positive or negative, with words and help
    them continue to identify things they are grateful for.
  • Continue to create the Gratitude Bunting together, sitting next to one another.
  • If challenging feelings arise during this activity, remember to show respect and
    understanding for all feelings.
  • Focus on your child’s feelings, not yours. Be empathetic and patient as you support
    your child understand what they are feeling.
  • Together, find a special place in your home, where you can put your new bunting.
  • Come back to the bunting throughout the holiday season and let it fill your home
    with positive feelings.

Instructions for Creating a Gratitude Bunting

    1. Using your watercolor paper and a pencil to trace a line, create any size triangle.
      The triangle shapes can be large, small or each triangle can be a different size if you
      want. Use scissors to cut out the triangles.
    2. Using colored pencils or watercolor paint, draw or paint pictures of what you are
      grateful for on each triangle.
    3. If you feel called, write words to go with the images.
    4. Now it’s time to arrange the triangles to form a garland. Whenever you have them in
      an order you like, use the hole punch and weave the yarn or string through the
      holes.
    5. Hang up your garland in a place where everyone can see and discuss!

Resources