Paper Dolls Foster Positive Vibes
Fostering Hope partners with OhioGuidestone (OGS) to provide yoga and art classes for children in residential treatment. At OGS, children live in “cottages” that are divided by age group, go to school, enjoy organized activities, and receive behavioral health services and treatment as they heal.
Fostering Hope instructors provide weekly yoga and art classes to youth in all four cottages at OGS. Using trauma informed practices, instructors offer continuity and connection with the outside world. Program Coordinator Kalie Johnson recently added vintage and modern paper dolls to her ever changing art curriculum for youth. Children could choose between vintage “flapper” dolls from the Roaring Twenties and modern paper dolls with accessories and clothing with a more anime flair.
Through the process of dressing paper figures, kids exercise fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, honing their dexterity. This hands-on engagement fosters a sense of accomplishment and pride as they bring their miniature fashion designs to life. Moreover, paper dolls are catalysts for imaginative storytelling.
Trauma-informed practices provide a safe and consistent space to encourage agency, decision making, creativity, and fun. Many of the children in the program have faced immense challenges—abuse, neglect, or instability—that have made it difficult to develop a strong sense of self-worth. Programs like this help to fill in the gaps, allowing them to reconnect with their creativity and sense of accomplishment. By focusing on consistency, choice, and emotional safety, trauma-informed practices empower children to take ownership of their healing process, something many of them have never had the opportunity to do before.
As Miss Kalie explains, “Some artists just love the process and enjoy the freedom of making art regardless of the outcome. Others are meticulous and plan every art project carefully.” In Kalie’s book, both are equally valid art explorations.
Boys, ranging in age from 6-10, enjoyed the anime character options. “They really took their time choosing and coloring the individual pieces and accessories,” said Kalie. At the end of class they took their creations with them to display proudly in their rooms.
Girls, ranging in age from 6-17, gravitated toward the vintage dolls and poured over library books Kalie brought with her as they planned their designs. Kalie tied in a mini history lesson by explaining the 19th Amendment passage of 1920, and how art often reflects what is happening in society.
Classes were such a hit Kalie is considering adding a Thanksgiving theme to the next paper “doll” project. “I never know what they are going to enjoy, but I love to introduce new options for them from week to week,” she explained. Using trauma-informed practices, Kalie is careful to mix the new with the old and always provides tried and true weekly options for consistency. Coloring pages, sensory options like clay and Play-Doh, crafts and card making are always there from week to week. As she moves through the room, she makes sure everyone has what they need and receives the attention and praise they deserve. In Kalie’s class, every piece of art is seen and admired, and every voice is heard. This is Fostering Hope Art.
