activities for go away big green monster

2 min read 01-02-2025

activities for go away big green monster

The children's book "Go Away, Big Green Monster" by Ed Emberley is a fantastic tool for helping young children process and overcome their fears. The interactive nature of the book, with its playful monster and the act of making it disappear, makes it perfect for a range of engaging activities. These activities can be used in classrooms, at home, or even as part of a therapeutic approach to managing anxieties.

Activities Inspired by "Go Away, Big Green Monster"

Here are some creative and effective activities that build upon the themes and techniques of the book:

1. Monster Making and Disappearing Act:

Objective: To visually represent and then actively "conquer" fears.
Materials: Construction paper, crayons, markers, scissors, glue, optional: googly eyes, yarn, felt.
Process: Children create their own "big green monster" (or any monster that represents their fears) on paper. They can decorate it with scary features. Then, using scissors or by simply drawing over the monster, they gradually make it disappear, segment by segment. This process mirrors the book and helps children symbolically overcome their fears.

2. Fear-Facing Journaling:

Objective: To identify and process fears in a safe and controlled environment.
Materials: Journals or notebooks, crayons or colored pencils.
Process: Encourage children to draw or write about their fears. They can use the monster as a metaphor. Once they've expressed their fear, guide them to write or draw ways they can overcome or manage it. This promotes self-reflection and problem-solving skills.

3. "Monster" Sensory Bin:

Objective: To explore feelings and fears in a tactile and engaging way.
Materials: A bin, various textured materials (e.g., rice, beans, cotton balls, shredded paper), toys or objects that represent different feelings (e.g., a soft toy for comfort, a spiky ball for anger), optional: dark fabric to cover the bin for a "monster cave" element.
Process: Children explore the sensory bin, associating different textures and objects with feelings and fears. The activity allows for non-verbal expression and exploration of emotional responses.

4. Creative Movement and Drama:

Objective: To express and release feelings through physical activity.
Materials: None required, though optional music can enhance the experience.
Process: Children act out the story, becoming the monster and then, through movement and dance, "disappearing" the monster's features one by one. This combines physical activity with emotional expression.

5. Storytelling and Adaptation:

Objective: To encourage creative expression and self-reflection.
Materials: None required.
Process: Invite children to tell their own versions of the story, adapting the monster and its features to reflect their own fears. This helps them to personalize the narrative and understand their own emotional landscape.

Extending the Learning:

These activities offer multiple avenues for exploring the concepts presented in "Go Away, Big Green Monster." By engaging children in these creative and interactive exercises, we can foster emotional intelligence, build resilience, and help them develop healthy coping mechanisms for managing fear and anxiety. Remember to adapt the activities to the specific age and developmental level of the children involved, ensuring a positive and supportive learning environment.