Art for Wellbeing ~ NDIS sessions

Art for Wellbeing sessions are facilitated by Melissa in a private, home-based studio. The fully equipped studio has two working spaces, allowing for both covered outdoor, and indoor exploration of the many Arts modalities. Private and NDIS clients are welcomed.

Why Art?

The benefits of Art are well documented. Art uses the creative process to assist individuals to develop self-awareness, explore emotions and conflict. Participation in Art programs has been shown to improve social skills and raise self-esteem. Art has been used as a means of communication, self-expression, group interaction and conflict resolution throughout history.

Studies also suggest that creating art stimulates the release of dopamine. This chemical is released when we do something pleasurable, and it basically makes us feel happier. Increased levels of this feel-good neurotransmitter can be very beneficial to our mental health.

Art encourages neural connections. Creating is an activity that can employ many senses - sigh, sound, touch and smell, depending on the mediums used. A young child's brain synapses fire away as they experiment and create by manipulating clay, mixing paints, pouring acrylics and resins, or drawing from the imagination.

Art workshops build fine motor skills. Gripping a paintbrush, applying fabric plaster, grouting tiles, winding florist wire, droppings inks onto a canvas, kneading and rolling clay, squeezing paint through a printing press - all of these tasks require increasing levels of dexterity and coordination, yet they are so much fun that children want to do them over and over, thereby developing their fine motor skills, creativity and confidence!

Art allows us to explore feelings and deal with life events by providing a safe outlet for emotions. Sometimes, multi-dimensional self-expression can be easier than articulating our thoughts with words;  art becomes a medium for helping us deal with challenging emotions and enables us to express our thoughts and feelings. Creating art allows us to process the things that have happened and may help reduce stress and anxiety as we work through these challenges.

The wonderful part is neither previous artistic experience nor natural artistic ability is necessary to enjoy the benefits of Art for Wellbeing!

Learning something new is fantastic for self-esteem and confidence, and of course if it's new and fun, young artists are always keen to continue!

I find my sessions are most compatible with goals around the development of social skills, emotional regulation (as we develop new strategies and techniques to use when feeling 'wobbly' or dysregulated), communication and language skills and obviously fine motor skills, cognitive development, and independence (following instructions, organising ourselves and our materials etc.). Obviously with many years working in education I use this experience with preschool aged children to help to develop skills which support school readiness, in addition to their plan and personal/family goals.

Some of the benefits of Art for Wellbeing sessions, and ways that these may assist participants to reach their goals include;
* a chance to develop autonomy in a positive environment
* a chance to develop self-awareness through reflection
* greater awareness and development of social skills
* development of positive, healthy sense of self
* the opportunity to build a positive experience with a caring professional
* the opportunity to use visual activities (sculpting, modelling, painting, creating) in combination with verbal language to create a neurological link and build a bridge between the spoken and seen, thus enhancing language development.

I use a variety of mediums, and most are messy! Everything from clay, resin and alcohol inks to tie dye, paints, mosaics and fabric plasters...above all the sessions are always fun!

If you are interested in finding out more about Art for Wellbeing sessions, please contact Melissa.

email: info@alphabetkids.com.au

phone: 0407851915