“I didn't know I have the capacity to be creative”: children's experiences of how creativity promoted their sense of well-being. A pilot randomised controlled study in school arts therapies

Abstract

ObjectivesCreativity has been found to be one of the key therapeutic elements in arts therapies. Arts therapies are psychotherapeutic approaches that aim to facilitate psychological change and personal growth through arts media, such as music, drama, dance, movement and virtual arts. This article presents the findings from children's experiences of participating in arts therapies, particularly those related to creativity. Study designThis study followed a pilot randomised controlled design with embedded qualitative and arts-based methods. Sixty-two children with mild emotional and behavioural difficulties were recruited across four primary schools in North West England. ResultsThe creative activities with the greatest impact on children's health and well-being were as follows: a) story-making and story-telling; b) drawings; c) puppetry; d) songwriting; and e) empowerment activities. Based on the interviews with children, these activities led to emotional expression, group bonding, empowerment and optimism. The findings were discussed through the lenses of the empowerment theory and the PERMA theory of positive psychology. ConclusionsArts therapies allowed children to share experiences and emotions that they may not have otherwise expressed merely through verbal means. During a period where COVID-19 has disrupted academic schedules and sparked a transitional period at schools, opportunities for creativity and engagement with the arts may contribute significantly to support children's emerging health needs.