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Many parents have experienced this moment.

You ask your preteen or teenager what’s wrong.

They shrug.

You ask if they’re upset.

“I don’t know.”

You ask what they’re feeling.

“I don’t know.”

For many young people, especially those experiencing stress, anxiety, overwhelm, or neurodivergent processing differences, emotions can be difficult to identify and even harder to explain.

The challenge is that parents often respond with more questions when what their child may need is a different way to communicate.

This is where expressive arts activities can help.

In this article, I’ll share a simple drawing experiment that uses a visual metaphor to help children and teenagers explore their feelings, develop emotional awareness, and think about challenges in a more manageable way.

Why Some Children and Teenagers Struggle to Explain Their Feelings

Many adults assume that if a child cannot explain their emotions, they are being uncooperative or avoiding the conversation.

In reality, emotional experiences are often much more complex.

Young people may struggle because:

• They lack the vocabulary to describe their feelings.
• Several emotions are occurring at the same time.
• They feel overwhelmed.
• They are worried about being judged.
• They process experiences visually rather than verbally.
• They are neurodivergent and require alternative communication approaches.

This is why simply asking, “How do you feel?” does not always work.

Sometimes children need to see their experience before they can talk about it.

The Power of Visual Metaphors

A metaphor allows us to represent something abstract in a concrete way.

For example:

• A storm can represent anxiety.
• A heavy backpack can represent stress.
• A tangled knot can represent confusion.

When children can see a metaphor, they often gain insight into their own experiences without feeling pressured to explain everything immediately.

Expressive arts activities provide a safe and creative space where exploration can happen naturally.

The Scribble Path Activity

This activity works particularly well for:

• Preteens
• Teenagers
• Neurodivergent children
• Children experiencing overwhelm
• Children who struggle to discuss emotions directly

What You Need

• Plain paper
• A pen, pencil, or marker

That’s it.

Step 1: Create a Scribble

Invite your child to fill part of the page with a messy scribble.

Avoid making it look artistic.

The goal is for it to look chaotic and tangled.

Step 2: Observe the Scribble

Ask:

“What does this scribble remind you of?”

You might hear responses such as:

• My school day
• My thoughts
• My homework
• My week
• My friendships

There is no right answer.

Step 3: Find One Path

Now invite your child to trace a single path through the scribble.

Not around it.

Not erasing it.

Not fixing it.

Simply finding one path through it.

Step 4: Reflect Together

Once the path is visible, ask:

• What did you notice?
• Was it difficult to find a path?
• What does the path represent?
• Does this remind you of anything happening in your life?

Many children naturally arrive at an important insight:

The goal is not to solve everything at once.

The goal is to find one next step.

The Hidden Emotional Lesson

One reason I like this activity as a counselling psychologist and expressive arts practitioner is that it teaches emotional regulation indirectly.

Rather than lecturing children about coping skills, the activity allows them to discover a principle for themselves.

The scribble remains.

The challenges remain.

The emotions remain.

But the child begins to recognise that even when life feels messy, there can still be a way forward.

This shift in perspective can reduce feelings of helplessness and increase a sense of agency.

Why This Works for Neurodivergent Children

Many neurodivergent children process information differently.

Visual supports, metaphors, and hands-on experiences can often feel more accessible than direct conversations about emotions.

Activities like this can:

• Reduce pressure
• Encourage self-expression
• Support emotional awareness
• Promote flexible thinking
• Create opportunities for connection

Importantly, the focus remains on curiosity rather than correction.

Watch the Video Demonstration

I’ve created a short video demonstrating this activity in action.

If you find it helpful, please subscribe to the channel for more practical psychology, expressive arts, emotional wellbeing, and neurodiversity-friendly strategies.

Recommended Supplies for Creative Emotional Wellbeing Activities

If you enjoy using creative activities with children and teenagers, these supplies can be useful additions to your toolkit:

Sketchbook for Emotional Expression

A dedicated sketchbook can encourage regular reflection and creative exploration.

Fine Line Pens

Perfect for doodling, mindful drawing, and expressive arts exercises.

Dual-Tip Markers

Useful for creating visual metaphors and adding colour to emotional expression activities.

Blank Journal

A journal can combine drawing, writing, and reflection in one place.

Watercolour Set

Ideal for children who enjoy exploring emotions through colour and creativity.

Final Thoughts

Children do not always need better explanations.

Sometimes they need better experiences.

Creative activities offer an opportunity to explore emotions in ways that feel safer, more engaging, and less overwhelming.

The next time your child says, “I don’t know how I feel,” consider putting aside the questions for a moment.

Grab a piece of paper.

Make a scribble.

And see what path emerges.

Looking for More Support?

If you’re a parent, educator, shadow teacher, or support professional looking for practical emotional wellbeing and neurodiversity-informed strategies:

✔ Explore more articles on EducateAble

✔ Subscribe to the EducateAble YouTube channel

✔ Book an Emotional Wellbeing & Expressive Arts Session

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Small creative moments can open surprisingly meaningful conversations.