As facilitators for the Cricket’s Hope Art Restores Kids Program (ARK), our participants’ ages
primarily range from 1st grade to early high school. We cater to children who have been affected
by trauma. This can include domestic violence, neglect, the death of a close family member, the
imprisonment of a close family member, and everything in-between.

Those children are recommended to us by their schools and voluntarily choose to come to ARK
class during or after school. We chose to do Meditation Labyrinths one week because it is a
useful tool for self-regulation. Our kids need all kinds of tools to make sure that they are
well-equipped to process their big and important emotions. As children follow the line which they
carved into the clay with their finger, the labyrinths offer a tactile sensory tool to redirect their
thoughts from their negative emotions until they are able to process them at a better time and in
a healthy way.

After explaining the purpose of the workshop to the children they suggested situations where
their labyrinths may come in handy. For example, one 5th grader stated, “I can use my labyrinth
when I get angry.” One of our 3rd graders added, “If I’m really stressed, I can use my finger to
follow the line.”

As we neared the end of our workshop, the children seemed more relaxed and generally
happier. I take any opportunity to utilize clay in our workshops because of how enjoyable it is for
the kids to work with. It also offers an opportunity for younger children to practice fine motor
skills.