Safe Place Activity: My Safe Place

This is a safe place activity that gives children an opportunity to think about a place where they feel comfortable, secure and able to be themselves. Children create their own safe place by drawing or imagining a place that feels right for them.

The activity can be used with children who experience worry, anxiety, strong feelings or situations that feel overwhelming. It provides a gentle way to explore what helps a child feel safe and supported, and can open up conversations about the people, places, sensory experiences and activities that help them feel more comfortable.

Children can create a real place, an imaginary place or a mixture of both. Their safe place might be somewhere quiet, somewhere outdoors, a favourite room, a special place with someone they trust or somewhere completely made up.

Benefits of this safe place activity include:

• Helps children identify places and experiences where they feel safe and comfortable
• Encourages children to explore what helps them feel secure
• Supports self-awareness and emotional wellbeing
• Provides a visual way for children to express their ideas and preferences
• Encourages children to think about sensory experiences that feel comfortable for them
• Creates opportunities to talk about trusted people and sources of support
• Gives children a familiar image or idea they can return to when they need a moment of quiet or space
• Supports conversations about individual needs and what helps each child feel more comfortable

My Safe Place can be used during ELSA sessions, nurture work or one-to-one support. It is flexible enough for children to create a safe place that is meaningful to them, recognising that what feels safe and supportive will be different for every child.

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