Safe Place Pillow Case Project

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by NDE Digital Learning

Safe Place Pillow Case Project

A Copyrighted Activity Created by and Re-posted with Permission from Kristina Marcelli Sargent http://kristinamarcelli.wordpress.com

Example
PillowCase1.PNGExample

Example

Objectives:

The participants will:

1. Identify symbols and phrases that calm the participant

2. Decorate a pillow case to be used by the participant using art and calming phrases

Audience:

The “safe place” or “peaceful pillowcase” project is something that can be used by all age groups.

Example 2
PillowCase2.PNGExample 2

Example 2

Supplies/Materials:

  • Blank or light solid colored pillowcases (Note: You can often buy a double pack of these for a dollar or two at outlet/discount stores.)
  • A large piece of cardboard (to be placed inside the pillow case to keep the colors from bleeding through)
  • Fabric markers (Note: you can use any fabric markers, but just be aware that some markers require ironing to “set” them in the fabric. I use Sharpie brand fabric markers called “Stained” since they are easy to use, thin, and require no ironing.)
  • Paper and pencils/pens

Prior to the Class:

Be sure to ask the children/participants before working on this project if they have pillows at home. Some children do not own or sleep on pillows so this is helpful to ask first. Also, assure the children/participants to take their time on this project and allow it be worked on for multiple sessions if needed. 

Class Instructions:

1. At the beginning of the session, ask the participants to make a personal list of words/phrases that help them feel safe and calm. Examples could be positive affirmations and pictures, helpful self-talk statements, reminders of coping skills, etc. The participants will be using this list to decorate their pillow cases. The participants can work individually or as a group.

2. Explain to the participants that they will be using fabric markers to decorate a pillow case with art and phrases that help them feel safe and calm.

3. Once the participants have a good list, place the cardboard sheets in- between the pillow cases (so no ink will leak through) at east station and pass out the markers.

4. Turn the participants loose to decorate their “calming” pillow cases using their markers and the list of phrases/images, etc.

At the conclusion of the Class:

Explain that this pillowcase can be a reminder for the participant/child to feel safe and calm before going to bed at night and first thing when he or she wakes up in the morning. This is also helpful for nightmares and bedtime anxiety--simply have the participants/children draw dreams they want to be having or positive self-talk statements to reassure and comfort themselves when waking from a nightmare. 

Note: If you’d like to add an interesting artistic element to the pillowcases, use a paint brush to dab rubbing alcohol on the images created using the markers and you will achieve a batik effect.

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