4 Square Feelings Activities
This is a great activity to use in a group setting that allows the group members to focus on emotions. The activity can be modified to fit the specific needs of the group. The activity can also be adjusted to use with individual clients.
Supplies Needed:
- Emotions written on strips of paper
- Envelops (optional)
- Multiple colors of 8×10 paper
- Writing Tools (pens, markers, or colored pencils)
- Magazines
- Scissors
- Glue or Glue Sticks
Step 1: Assign Feelings
Prior to the group, select feelings that you would like to focus on during the group and write them on strips of paper. I selected five feelings that were common to experience after a loss.
Depending on your group size, you can pair group members up to work as a team or have the members work individually. Have the members select a feeling.
Step 2: Select a sheet of paper that represents the selected feeling
The group member then selects a color that represents the emotion selected from the 8×10 paper provided.
Step 3: Fold the paper into 4 squares
Ask the group member to fold the 8×10 paper into four squares.
Step 4: First Quadrant Assignment
The group members are asked to write down at least five synonyms that represent the feeling selected in the first quadrant.
Step 5: Second Quadrant Assignment
The group members are asked to cut out words or pictures from magazines that represent their feeling they selected. The members then glue the pictures and words on the second quadrant.
Step 6: Third Quadrant Assignment
The group members are then asked to write down at least five scenarios that might cause someone to experience their selected emotion in the third quadrant.
Step 7: Fourth Quadrant Assignment
The group members are then asked to google at least five movies, t.v shows, or songs that have their selected feeling in the title and then write the titles in the fourth quadrant. The members might need access to computers or their smart phones to complete this assignment. NOTE: If you do not have access to the internet, as an alternative to this exercise, the group members can write five things that help when they are feeling this emotions (or self-care ideas.)
Step 8: Present the emotion to the group
The group members are then asked to come back together in a circle to present their feeling to the rest of the group. The goal would be to present the information written down, so that the rest of the group members can guess the emotion represented. Utilize this format to open up group discussion, especially when focusing on situations that might cause this emotion to occur.
