Color Your Story Activity

Purpose: Help the student express and reflect on emotions nonverbally through art, using color to build self-awareness and deepen trust.

Materials:

• Markers
• Colored Pencils
• Crayons
• Poster Board

Activity Steps

1. Warm-Up & Color Selection (5 minutes)

• Invite the student to name two or three emotions she’s felt recently.
• On the poster board edge or small slips of paper, write each emotion.
• Next to each emotion, have her pick a color (marker, pencil, or crayon) that feels right for that emotion.
  
  
  
  
  
  

2. Drawing Activity (15 minutes)

• Give her the poster board and all chosen colors.
• Ask her to create an image or abstract design for each emotion using its assigned color.
• Encourage focusing on how it feels rather than on how it looks “perfect.”
• She can use shapes, lines, patterns, or simple images to represent each feeling.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

3. Guided Reflection (5 minutes)

Use these prompts to gently guide her discussion of the artwork:

• “What does this color mean to you?”
• “How did it feel to draw these shapes or patterns?”
• “If you could give this piece a title, what would it be?”
• “Is there anything in your drawing that surprises you?”
  
  
  
  
  
  

4. Closing & Summary (5 minutes)

• Ask her to name one thing she discovered about her emotions today.
• Reinforce that there’s no right or wrong way to express herself through art.
• Thank her for sharing and remind her this artwork is her personal story.

Follow-Up Notes for Therapist:

• Observe color choices and recurring shapes as clues to her emotional landscape.
• Validate her reflections and note any shifts in comfort discussing feelings.
• Keep the artwork for future reference or to compare changes over sessions.

Color Your Story Script

Session Length: 30 minutes
Materials: Markers, Colored Pencils, Crayons, Poster Board
(See Color Your Story Lesson Plan and Color Your Story Activity for details.)

1. Introduction & Rapport-Building (5 minutes)

Teacher: “Hi there, it’s great to see you today! How are you feeling right now?”


(Allow student to respond. Validate briefly:)
Teacher: “Thanks for sharing that. Today, we’re going to try something a little different—using art and color to explore how you feel. There are no right or wrong answers here, and this is a safe space just for you.”


Teacher: “If at any point you want to talk instead of draw, that’s totally okay. How does that sound?”

2. Emotion Warm-Up & Color Selection (5 minutes)

Teacher: “First, let’s think of two or three emotions you’ve felt recently. Examples might be happy, stressed, excited, or tired. What comes to mind?”


(Write each emotion on the edge of the poster board or on slips of paper.)


Teacher: “Great choices. Now, look at our markers, colored pencils, and crayons. I’d like you to pick one color for each emotion—choose whichever color feels right, even if it’s a bit random.”


(Give student a moment to select colors. If she hesitates, prompt:)
Teacher: “You can go by what looks fun or what reminds you of that feeling. What feels good to you?”

3. Drawing Activity (15 minutes)

Teacher: “Okay, you have your colors and emotions. Now, use these colors to create shapes, patterns, or images that represent each feeling. Focus on how it feels to draw, not on making it look perfect.”


(Sit quietly nearby. Offer encouragement if needed:)
Teacher: “If you want to share anything while you draw, just let me know. Otherwise, take your time.”

4. Reflection & Processing (5 minutes)

Teacher: “When you’re ready, I’d love to hear about your artwork.”


Teacher: “Let’s start with this color—what does it represent for you?”


(Follow-up prompts as needed:)

• “Can you tell me more about that?”
• “What did it feel like to draw those shapes?”
• “Is there something in your drawing that surprised you?”
• “If you gave this piece a title, what would it be?”
  
  
  Teacher: “What’s one thing you discovered about your emotions today while drawing?”
  
  

5. Closing & Next Steps (Closing Minutes)

Teacher: “Thank you for sharing your artwork and thoughts with me. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to express yourself here.”


Teacher: “I’m proud of you for exploring your feelings. We can keep this artwork to look back on next time, if you’d like.”


Teacher: “You did an amazing job today. I’ll see you next session—take care!”

Feel free to refer to Color Your Story Activity for more details on prompts and therapist notes.

Emotional Reflection Worksheet

Use this worksheet to reflect on your art activity from Color Your Story Activity. There are no right or wrong answers—this is your private space to explore your emotions.

1. Color and Emotion Mapping

Emotion 1: ____________________ Color: ____________________

Why did you choose this color for this emotion?

Emotion 2: ____________________ Color: ____________________

Why did you choose this color for this emotion?

Emotion 3: ____________________ Color: ____________________

Why did you choose this color for this emotion?

2. Artwork Insights

1. Describe one part of your drawing that feels most significant to you:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What shapes, lines, or patterns did you use that surprised you? How did they make you feel?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. If you could give a title to your artwork, what would it be and why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Emotional Discoveries

1. What is one new insight you gained about your emotions today?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. How might you use art or another creative way to express these emotions in the future?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Safe Space Reminder: This worksheet is for your eyes only unless you choose to share. There is no right or wrong way to express yourself here.