Facilitating in a small group

[Margo Van Beest]

I have just facilitated Touch Drawing in a small group for the first time. It went well. I have found that the adults had a harder time connecting with their inner core than the children do. It was quite fascinating to see the progression of the child go from very dark and forbiding, to bright and promising. I can see the benifits of Touch Drawing as a therapy. My participants went home with one finished drawing. They are very happy with the results and so am I. I am including a picture of the one child's finished drawing for all to see. I am excited about where this could lead.

[Mary Barrett]

Margo - Hi My name is Mary Ernst. I have been out of touch, so to speak, for with my touch drawing page for quite awhile. I just read your Aug. entry. Can you tell me more about presenting TD to children. How exactly did you do it - what kids, how many, where, what supplies did you bring, what did you say and do...I guess. I am not as unsure as I sound but I do like to hear specifics. I am trying to figure out how to begin facilitating TD but don't quite know how to begin. I am not good at this and could use some thoughts or ideas. Hope you are well and enjoying your TD more and more. All the best, Mary

[Margo Van Beest]

Hi Mary,
Thankyou for your interest in my comment. To answer your question...I thought to introduce TD to some friends and their children one day, so I invited a few Mom's and their children...ages of kids...8 to 10. Having Mom there seemed to bring a level of relaxation for all concerned. The session lasted a couple of hours. We began sitting on the floor, I did a quick demo of the actual paint application on the board and drawing much the same as Deborah does and moved into doing breathing and listening to a CD of Metal Bowl Singing. I explained, as each person is ready, to start making movement on the paper and not to be concerned about drawing any thing in particular. I explained that as we are all unique, we will begin and finish at different times. One will know instinctively when they are done, and they may stop and quietly move off, help themselves to refreshments etc. but asked that they remain relatively quiet until all have finished. Interestingly, the children found the process easier than the adults. All were respectful of others need to continue working until the end. This included one child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. (I should mention here that I am a retired Education Assistant and have Specialized in Autism) The children needed no encouragement to draw and didn't get stuck, but the Mom's did need some guidance from time to time. After we were all done drawing, we took a 20 minute break and then began sharing time. I began sharing of my own drawings to help the process along. The one thing that jumped at me with the Autistic child, was that the drawings began very dark, forbidding, disjointed, angry even. They evolved over the 8 to 10 drawings to be bright and cheerful, full of love and hope. The child herself had changed in that time period. She was a much different person leaving me than when she had arrived. Mom was a little baffled at the change but pleased at the result. I guess I should mention...I held this session in my home. The one comment was that everyone slept peacefully...often unusual for an Autistic person. Oh yes...this was an after dinner session...we started about 7PM. I have deemed the session a success. I suppose this was more of an experiment on my part.
So there you have it...I would love to hear about your experiences!
All the best to you,
Margo

[Mary Barrett]

Margot - I'm sorry I didn't reply right away. I just reread your message and enjoyed it so much. What wonderful thing to witness - the autistic child. I hope that he has been able to continue. I am attempting to offer a free TD class twice a month at a local bookstore but I have been terrible about promoting it. I tried to get the paper to put in a press release but they seem to always have priorities!
I have been doing my own drawing and it is so very rewarding and revealing. It's a great tool during the divorce I am going through.
I'd like to know how you describe TD to others.
Hope you are well, Mary

[Deborah Koff-Chapin]

Margot, I am happy you are keeping the pirit of touch Drawing alive and passing it along to others... You may want to join the featured group 'facilitating TD workshops' by clicking on the GROUPS tab above. It would be best for all if we gather reports and discussions on facilitating in one place with that specific focus. Also, on the autistic child, below ....
I have received feedback a number of times now about some particular and unuaul response that autistic people have to doing td. I think this merits further exploration. would you be interested in starting a special interest group on that subject, ust to set the pattern and space for others to consider and explore this? Read this report in our enewsletter archives:
http://www.touchdrawing.com/Newsletter/InTouch8.html#anchor_disabled
Blessings, Deborah

[Carol]

I just facilitated Touch Drawing in a small group for the first time also.....It went well. I started a visual journaling group about 8 months ago. So I felt I was in a safe place for my first time. Alot of us have just reconnected through this group even though we live in a small community. But, that was my purpose for starting this tribe of women. I was thrilled for the support and it really gave me assurance this is a wonderful medium for connections... in so many ways. I attended the weekend event in Omega in July. And broke open to a whole new journey. Thank you, Debra

[Deborah Koff-Chapin]

Carol, Great to know that the Omega workshop was alive and open new realms for you - of course it is a very two way street - your readiness to break open! I suggest you also consider joining the GROUP Touch Drawing Workshop Facilitation where we want to focus reports of workshops, issues, questions. etc.

[Durelle L Freeman]

Did you have a mixed group of adults and children?