These activities will help youth build a positive view of themselves and recognize their strengths while thinking about media. They can be done alone or with friends over a video chat such as Skype, Zoom, Facetime, etc.

Mindfulness Actvity

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Trivia question: What is the color of an emerald?

Mindfulness Activity:

  • Imagine that your pointer finger is a candle.
  • Hold up your candle, take a deep breath in, then blow out the candle on your finger for as long as you can.
  • Notice how your breath fills up your belly when you breathe in.

Self-Portrait

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Supplies:

  • garbage bag or plastic
  • black permanent marker
  • water colour paints
  • sponges
  • food colouring
  • a large piece of paper/light-coloured sheet
  • mod podge or 1 cup of white glue

Instructions:

  • Lay down a garbage bag or some sort of plastic under the sheet or large paper. This will make sure the paint and marker does not go through to stain the floor.
  • Have your child lay down on top of the sheet or paper.
  • Trace their head and shoulders with a permanent marker.
  • Using Simon Says, ask them to add details of their self portrait. For example, “Simon Says draw your mouth,” “Simon Says draw your eyes,” etc. When the face is completed, start adding color with different kinds of materials. For example, liquid water colors and droppers, sponge brushes, or food colouring diluted with water.

Once the self-portrait is dry, you can seal the portrait by painting on homemade Mod Podge (1 cup of white glue with 1/3 cup of water) to stiffen it up. Cut out the outline and hang​

Strike a Pose

Pull out your invisible camera (or use a real one) and take pretend photos of your child making different poses that show an emotion or attitude.

Here are some examples to get you started:

  • Confident
  • Caring
  • Angry
  • Greedy
  • Surprised
  • Confused
  • In love
  • Terrified
  • Sassy
  • Serious

Next, give your child a chance to take pretend photos of you. Let them tell you what emotions or attitudes you should show in your poses.

Personal Picassos

Supplies:

  • cardboard
  • scissors
  • paints
  • markers or crayons
  • glue

Help your child cut out the following shapes in cardboard:

  • 2 eye balls
  • A nose
  • A mouth
  • 2 ears
  • A hat or hair.

Have them decorate each shape using paints, markers, crayons or whatever material you have.

Glue together on a larger piece of cardboard to create a face.

Review Questions

​​​Ask your child:

  • How does it feel to create pictures of yourself?
  • Do you think it’s important to be comfortable with who you are? Why or why not?
  • How can understanding ourselves better help us in our lives?

Trivia Answer

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Answer: Green​​

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