This document outlines the 7 principles of an expressive arts-based psychosocial support program: 1. Safety and trust are essential to allow for self-reflection and expression. 2. Activities help develop self-awareness of one's body and abilities. 3. Identifying and sharing feelings verbally and non-verbally with a caring adult supports psychosocial development.

1. 1. SAFETY. Emotional and
physical safety are essential
for healing to take place;
this builds trust and creates
an environment where self-
reflection and self-
expression become possible.
Principles: The 7 S' of Psychosocial
Support
Listed below are the 7 principles of an Expressive Arts-based
Psychosocial Support.

2. 2. Self-awareness. In school, at
various age groups, there is a
growing self-awareness of one’s
body, separateness from others, and
ability to express needs and
preferences. Through specific
activities, this growing knowledge
of self serves as a building block
for gaining more complex
developmental skills such as
problem-solving and self-regulation,
Principles: The 7 S' of Psychosocial
Support

3. 3. Self-expression. The process of
identifying feelings and
sharing this both verbally and
non-verbally, in the presence
of a caring adult who is
attentive to both the learner
and the creative process, is
fundamentally what psychosocial
support work in the classroom
is about.
Principles: The 7 S' of Psychosocial
Support

4. 4. Self-regulation. This is the
ability to manage one’s
emotions. Since the mind and
body are interconnected, this
skill is key to achieving a
sense of equilibrium mentally,
physically, and emotionally.
Since the mind and body are
intricately connected, one’s
ability to manage strong
Principles: The 7 S' of Psychosocial
Support

5. 5. Problem solving. This critical
life skill can be learned
through any process that
involves art making. It can
begin with resolving the simple
dilemma between choosing blue
or green to color, or deciding
what colors to mix to make a
new color, or deciding on one’s
own specific rhythm or beat in
Principles: The 7 S' of Psychosocial
Support

6. 6. Self-confidence. A strong sense of
self-esteem and self-confidence is
essential to experiencing success in
school and in finding one’s way through
adversity, and art-based activities can
help encourage children to reflect on,
identify, and express their strengths
and values. As a stabilizing factor,
the school or any child-friendly space
that builds on children’s strengths
become healing spaces particularly for
children who do not receive affirmation
Principles: The 7 S' of Psychosocial
Support

7. 7. Self-compassion. When children
receive empathy in times of distress,
they learn how to demonstrate this
towards themselves and others as well.
Caring adults who model compassion and
empathy indirectly teach children how
to show this to others in times of
difficulty. These activities that
involve the facilitation of a
trustworthy adult as well as
interactions with others promote the
development of empathy and appreciation
for differences and unique abilities,
Principles: The 7 S' of Psychosocial
Support