Young children who experience loss or big changes often need extra reassurance and security. At ages 3–6, children are learning to understand their feelings, but grief and uncertainty can feel confusing and overwhelming. Our Things That Make Me Feel Safe worksheet is designed to help children identify comforting people, routines, and spaces that support them when they feel anxious, sad, or uncertain.
This worksheet provides a safe, playful way for children to explore what makes them feel secure. By drawing or listing the people, places, and activities that bring comfort, children can recognise their sources of safety, build confidence, and develop coping skills that help them navigate challenging emotions.
What This Worksheet Does
- Identifies sources of comfort: Children learn to recognise trusted adults, favorite routines, and safe spaces that help them feel calm.
- Builds emotional security: By visually mapping their supports, children gain a stronger sense of stability and reassurance.
- Encourages self-expression: Drawing, colouring, or noting comforting elements allows children to communicate needs without relying solely on words.
Why It’s Important for Ages 3 – 6
At this developmental stage, children are highly dependent on familiar people and routines. Grief or disruption can feel especially unsettling, and young children may not be able to explain their feelings. The Things That Make Me Feel Safe worksheet helps children by:
- Reinforcing safety: Highlighting trusted adults, comforting routines, and secure spaces reassures children that they are supported.
- Supporting coping skills: Recognising what helps them feel safe gives children tools to manage stress and emotional upset.
- Promoting confidence: Understanding their own sources of comfort empowers children to seek support proactively.
By providing a structured activity focused on security, children are better able to navigate grief and other strong emotions in a healthy and age-appropriate way.
Tips for Using the Worksheet
- Let children lead: Encourage your child to draw, write, or color freely—there is no right or wrong way to complete the worksheet.
- Ask gentle questions: Prompts like, “Who helps you feel safe?” or “Where do you feel calm?” can guide exploration without pressure.
- Incorporate routines: Pair the activity with comforting rituals, such as reading a story, singing a song, or having a special quiet space, to reinforce safety.
- Discuss as needed: Some children may want to talk about their drawings; others may prefer quiet reflection. Both approaches are valuable.
Supporting Children Through Safety and Stability
Feeling safe is fundamental for a young child’s emotional development, especially during times of grief. The Things That Make Me Feel Safe worksheet helps children understand what gives them comfort and how to access it. By identifying people, routines, and spaces that support them, children gain confidence, emotional security, and resilience, laying the foundation for healthy coping skills that last a lifetime.
Explore our free PDF guides to supporting grieving children, plus all of our grief activities for children on our childhood grief worksheets page.