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The Life Story Pack for Primary Age Children is a therapeutic toolkit designed for parents to help children explore their identity, celebrate their achievements, and process complex life experiences. Developed by Natalie Salaman, a social worker and arts-based counselor with 35 years of experience, this pack provides a structured yet flexible framework for creating a personalised "Life Story Book" or digital autobiography.This pack is specifically tailored for primary-age children, though many activities can be adapted for teens or younger children. It moves beyond a simple photo album, offering a "touchstone of self-esteem" through the production of a life story book that can help children build a sense of pride and self-knowledge through collaborative storytelling with you, their parent.
Key Features & Contents
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Creative Session Guides: Instructions on how to structure roughly six sessions, including tips on preparing a physical space, using art materials like wallpaper rolls, and incorporating calming sensory activities (e.g., kinetic sand or "Purrble" plushies).
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Interactive Tools & Maps:
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River of Life Map: A visual timeline using a river metaphor to mark significant life milestones.
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Body Map: A creative exercise to help children identify and talk about where they feel emotions in their bodies.
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Roots Tree: A specialized tool to explore the hidden origins of feelings and behaviors, particularly useful for children who have experienced trauma.
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Conversation Starters: Includes "20 Starter Sentences" and "Trigger Titles" designed to spark dialogue in a playful, non-judgmental "interview style".
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Specialised Support for Difficult Topics: Dedicated guidance and PDF downloads for navigating "Important Conversations" regarding sensitive subjects such as mental ill health, domestic abuse, prison, divorce, and bereavement.
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Practical Planning Resources: Access to a blank 18-session planner, example session plans, and links to curated books and websites that support emotional wellbeing.
Product Benefits
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Strengthens Bonds: Encourages focused, screen-free quality time that fosters a deeper connection between the adult and child.
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Promotes Emotional Literacy: Uses games like "The Starter Sentence Game" and tools like "Bear Cards" to help children find a language for their experiences, lightening the burden of past fears or pain.
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Flexible Formatting: Supports various creation styles, including physical 3D folders, digital books with links to music and video, or simple "here and now" conversations without a finished product.
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Empowers the Child: Following the principle of the child as "Principal Editor" the pack ensures the final creation is a true reflection of the child's own voice and choices.
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