I found this activity in one of my articles by Charles E Schaefer, it is a Filial Play therapy game that is used either in sessions or something simple to do at home.
Weights and Balloons
Therapeutic Rationale
A common challenge in therapy is making abstract therapeutic constructs understandable, meaningful, and concrete to children. Techniques that are enjoyable and “hands-on” are an ideal way to teach children these complex concepts. Weights and Balloons (by Celia Linden; see Kaduson & Schaefer, 2001, pp. 115–117) is an easy, effective technique for teaching children the somewhat com- plicated cognitive–behavioral theory of depression.
Description
Materials needed: a dozen helium balloons, paper and pen, and some type of weight (e.g., rocks, blocks, etc.).
Weights and Balloons
Therapeutic Rationale
A common challenge in therapy is making abstract therapeutic constructs understandable, meaningful, and concrete to children. Techniques that are enjoyable and “hands-on” are an ideal way to teach children these complex concepts. Weights and Balloons (by Celia Linden; see Kaduson & Schaefer, 2001, pp. 115–117) is an easy, effective technique for teaching children the somewhat com- plicated cognitive–behavioral theory of depression.
Description
Materials needed: a dozen helium balloons, paper and pen, and some type of weight (e.g., rocks, blocks, etc.).
EFFECTIVE PLAY THERAPY TECHNIQUES
519
520
HALL, KADUSON, AND SCHAEFER
The therapist and the child create a list of negative and positive
thoughts that the child has about a specific situation or in general.
The lists are kept separate by either putting them on separate sheets
of paper or placing them in different columns. After the comple-
tion of the lists, the therapist explains how negative thoughts feed
the feelings of depression and weigh us down. However, positive
thoughts lift our spirits and help us to feel good. The therapist then
explains how our thoughts directly influence our feelings and how
we can change the way that we feel by altering our thoughts.
Following the explanation, the therapist assigns each negative thought a weight and each positive thought a balloon. The therapist then demonstrates how it feels to hold each of the objects. The child then holds each of the objects to get a sense of the physical sensation. For an older child, the weights can be incremental to represent more damaging thoughts. The therapist has the child hold all of the weights and walk around the room with them. This helps the child see how holding onto one’s negative thoughts weighs one down. When the child is told to put the negative thoughts (weights) down, the child can see how it feels not to carry around all that weight anymore. Next, the therapist discusses the “weightlessness” of the positive thoughts and teaches the child how positive thoughts are helpful.
Applications
Weights and Balloons is an inexpensive technique that trans- forms a complex idea into something concrete and understandable. This technique is particularly useful for children who are de- pressed; however, it is useful with all children to illustrate the effect that thoughts have on feelings.
Following the explanation, the therapist assigns each negative thought a weight and each positive thought a balloon. The therapist then demonstrates how it feels to hold each of the objects. The child then holds each of the objects to get a sense of the physical sensation. For an older child, the weights can be incremental to represent more damaging thoughts. The therapist has the child hold all of the weights and walk around the room with them. This helps the child see how holding onto one’s negative thoughts weighs one down. When the child is told to put the negative thoughts (weights) down, the child can see how it feels not to carry around all that weight anymore. Next, the therapist discusses the “weightlessness” of the positive thoughts and teaches the child how positive thoughts are helpful.
Applications
Weights and Balloons is an inexpensive technique that trans- forms a complex idea into something concrete and understandable. This technique is particularly useful for children who are de- pressed; however, it is useful with all children to illustrate the effect that thoughts have on feelings.
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