Love Shrinks Worries
This Valentine-themed activity helps your child “shrink” their worries by replacing fear with love and positive thoughts. It’s a fun, calming way to teach kids how to manage overwhelming emotions.
Instructions + Visual Aid Worksheet
What You’ll Need:
• A quiet space to talk
• (Optional) A heart-shaped balloon or worksheet/drawing for a visual aid
How to Guide Your Child Through the Activity:
1. Set the Scene:
Begin by asking your child to think about something they’re worried about.
Explain that we’re going to “shrink” the worry into something so small it won’t feel so scary anymore.
2. Imagine the Worry:
Ask your child to imagine their worry as a big Valentine heart balloon.
Encourage them to describe the balloon—what color is it? How big is it? Does it feel heavy or light?
Explain that the balloon is filled with their worry or fear, this might make it big and overwhelming.
3. Fill the Balloon with Love:
Now, tell your child to imagine pouring love into the balloon.
Prompt them to think about:
People who love and care about them (like family or friends).
Something kind someone has said to them recently.
A happy memory that made them feel loved and supported.
4. Start Shrinking the Balloon:
For every loving or realistic thought they share, tell them to imagine releasing a little air from the balloon.
Examples of realistic thoughts:
“Even if one person doesn’t like my Valentine cards, I worked hard, and that’s what matters.”
“I’m worried about forgetting my lines, but my teacher said it’s okay to make mistakes.”
Encourage them to keep going until the balloon is small enough to hold in their hand or fit in their pocket.
5. Carry the Love:
Once the balloon is “shrunk,” ask your child to imagine carrying it in their pocket or holding it in their heart.
Tell them the shrunken balloon is a reminder that they are strong, capable, and loved no matter what happens.
Tips for Parents:
Be Patient: If your child struggles to think of loving or realistic thoughts, gently guide them by offering examples or reflecting on past positive moments together.
Model the Process: Share your own example of something you’ve worried about and how you shrunk it with love and realism.
Make It Fun: Use a physical balloon or draw a big heart on paper to make the visualization more interactive.
Why This Works:
✔ This activity blends mindfulness and visualization to help your child recognize that worries can be made smaller and more manageable. By focusing on love and positive thoughts, they build resilience and learn to reframe their fears