Yanely Martinez

LEI 4724
Activity File 7
Activity Title 3: Hidden Heart
Source:
Anger Management Activities. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2015, from http://www
.gamesforgroups.com/angermanagementgames.html
Cobert, J. (2013). Psychiatric Disorders. In Tharascon Pediatric Psychiatrica (pp. 202219). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Dattilo, J. (2012). Learn About People, Inclusion, and Disability. In Inclusive Leisure
Services (Third ed., pp. 385-485). State College, PA: Venture Publishing.
Equipment: Paper, pens, pencils, scissors, thin pieces of ribbon, small balloons, large
balloons for each person (not inflated) and permanent colored markers
Description of Activity:
Give each person a small balloon, piece of ribbon, paper, scissors and a pen or
pencil. Explain to them that this balloon represents their heart and all of the pain, hurt
and anger that can be found inside of it. Instruct them to cut slips of paper that are small
enough to fit into the balloon, to write down their hurts and anger on these, and to then
put the papers into the balloon and tie the balloon closed with the ribbon (do not blow up
the balloon). These papers do not have to be shown to anyone.
Give each person one of the larger balloons and ask each person to put their "heart"
(the smaller balloon) into the larger balloon. Instruct each person to blow up the large
balloon and tie it shut. Tell them that they are to write on the outside of the balloon how
they present themselves to others on the outside so that nobody can see the things that
are hidden on the inside. Some people use humor to hide the pain and others always
act confident even though they feel insecure and lonely. These are the types of things
people should write on the outside of their balloon.
Once all of the balloons are written on, gather the group together and discuss what is
written on the outside of the balloons. Challenge the members of the group to each
share at least one thing they have written down on the outside of their balloon. Then ask
each person to state if it is a good thing to cover up what is on the inside or if they would
like people to know more about what's going on in their life and if so to think of a way
that this can happen. After this discussion, allow them to pop their balloons as a
symbolic way of getting rid of all the walls and devices that they use to hide their pain.
After the balloons are popped, the hearts with the ribbons tied around them should
remain. Challenge each person in the group to find someone in the next week's time
that they trust enough to give their heart to. They should explain to that person what the
balloon represents and why they want to give it to they. They should then let that person
untie the ribbon to see what is inside. If possible bring the group back together a week
later for a follow up group to find out who was able to find someone to give their heart to
or challenge the group to read what they had in their "heart" to the group. Other
possible discussion questions that the therapist can ask are: how are you affected by

the feelings and emotions that you keep inside of you?, What things inside of you
makes you feel angry? and, how can you get rid of the negative things in your life?
Leadership considerations:
This activity works best for smaller groups of participants. In this activity, there
are lots of details that require the therapist to be attentive to. The activity is best
performed in an indoor setting to permit participants to communicate easily among
themselves. The therapist is very involved in the activity because this activity is requires
a lot of explanations. The therapist will make instructions as easy to understand as
possible and guide the participants through out the activity. The participants will receive
an explanation about how people should not hide who they really are with someone
they are not. The therapist will encourage communication among the participants to
provide allow participants to feel comfortable with others. As the participants
communicate during the steps in the activity, the therapist will observe and acknowledge
any responses from the participants. At the end of the activity the therapist and
participants will assist with cleaning up the popped balloons and putting all the materials
used away. After this is completed, participants will gather together and the therapist will
begin the discussion with the participants. The therapist should provide an example of
herself to encourage the participants to explain themself too. Any other discussion
questions used will be based on the participants needs and interests. Some safety
hazards to be attentive to are the permanent markers, scissors and pooping of balloons.
Permanent markers are only to be used for writing. Make sure no participants place it in
their mouth, eyes or skin. The scissors are dangerous and can lead to a very big
accident. When participants use scissors, provide assistants to participants that have
never used scissors before. When popping the balloons, participants can get straddled
by sound and can freak out. Warn all participants when a balloon is going to be popped.
This will not straddled them as much and allows them to cover their ears if desired.
Adaptations:
*Participants with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder:
Participants with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have previously
experienced a traumatic event in their life that has mentally affected them. They are
usually very afraid to loud sounds and have trouble trusting anyone. The participants
that the activity is being adapted for are veterans. Veterans have very high rates of
developing PTSD because of all the traumatic events they experience. This activity
involves the participants popping balloons. When popping a balloon, the pop sound
tends to be very loud and can straddle anyone even if they do not have PTSD, so
imagine someone who does have PTSD. To adapt the process of popping the balloon
the participants can first observe the therapist pop a balloon. Allow participants to cover
their ears so the sound will not be so loud. Due to lack of trust these participants have,
working with others and expressing themselves is very hard. Try to make the
information asked from the participants short. It is easier this way to at least gather
some information. Also, provide a warming and comfortable environment to gain their
trust. Do any participants to use scissors because they can get straddle and attempt to
use the scissor as a weapon. Rather if anything needs to be cut, provide participants
with the precut material.
*Participants with Intellectual Disability:

These participants have a significantly sub-average general intellectual

functioning. Simple directions can become very overwhelming to them if given all at
once. To ease the activity for them, instruct activities one by one. So, the therapist will
provide one step, complete the step and then state the next step. When using words
use simple words that are granted to be known by the participants. Theses participants
suffer usually from low self-esteem due to neglect from people that may think they are
stupid and know nothing. These terms are incorrect and these participants are
actually not stupid. They just have some areas that may be difficult, but they all have
superior area. When possible, acknowledge these superior areas and try to incorporate
them to other activities. When participants are brainstorming how to describe each
balloon, just have them find one word that describes each balloon. These participants
make have difficulties using scissors, writing or just simply understand that goal of the
activity. Patient is key and there is a huge need of patients for these participants
constantly.