Monthly Children's Plans
Keep up to date with what’s happening this month for children at The Hummingbird.
April Children's Plans
Date
Team
First part – engage in planned activity
Halfway break – snack and drink
End part – Children’s time- choose an activity or game.
Session Objective
11/09/26
Kelly and Aggie
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A jar of things I can’t say activity.
Children decorate a small container to make it feel personal and safe. They can then use it to place drawings, words, questions, worries, angry thoughts, secrets, or things they wish they could say about their loved one’s cancer diagnosis. They can choose whether to share what they put inside, keep it private, or invite a trusted adult to look at it with them.
The thought process behind this activity will be to give the children a safe, controlled outlet for difficult emotions, particularly feelings that may worry or upset their family or that they are unable to finds the words for. It will reinforce that all their feelings are acceptable and that they can communicate at their own pace, without the pressure to talk before they are ready.
18/09/26
Kelly and Vicky
The Coping toolbox Activity
Children create and decorate their own personal coping toolbox. Together, they explore different things that can help when they are feeling worried, sad, angry or overwhelmed. They can fill the toolbox with items or cards representing their coping strategies, such as a favourite toy, sensory object, drawing materials, music, positive reminders, breathing exercises, photos of people they trust, or cards saying “Ask for a cuddle,” “Take some quiet time,” or “Talk to someone I trust.” Children can personalise their toolbox and add to it over time as they discover new things that help.
The thought process behind this activity is to help children identify and develop their own ways of managing difficult emotions, giving them a sense of choice and control during a time when they may feel uncertain. It will also reinforce that its okay to need support and that there are things they can do to help themselves feel safer and more settled.
25/09/26
Kelly, Vicky and Susan
When you need cards Activity
Children create a set of personalised cards that they can use to communicate what they need when they are finding it difficult to express themselves verbally. Each card can represent a different need, such as “I need someone to listen,” “I need a hug,” “I need some space,” “I need to talk,” “I need information,” “I need to play,” or “I don’t know what I need.” Children can decorate the cards with drawings, colours or symbols and choose which cards feel relevant to them and can use them with parents, carers, teachers or other trusted adults.
The thought process behind this activity is to give the children a simple and empowering way to communicate their needs, particularly when emotions feel overwhelming or words are difficult to find. It can help children feel heard and understood while reinforcing that it is okay to ask for different kinds of support and that their needs matter too.
02/10/26
Kelly, Vicky and Susan
The Me collage
Children create a personalised collage that represents who they are beyond their loved one’s cancer diagnosis. They can use drawings, photographs, magazine pictures, words, colours and symbols to show their favourite things, hobbies, friends, pets, interests, achievements, dreams and things that make them feel happy or proud. The collage can be completely individual, with children choosing what they want to include and what they want to leave out.
The thought process behind this activity is to help children maintain a sense of identity and individuality during a time when cancer may take up a lot of attention within the family. It reinforces the message that they can still be themselves, and that their interests and feelings matter, and that they are allowed to have fun and enjoy everyday childhood experiences alongside difficult emotions.