Kevin Sheldon

LEI 4724
Activity 11
Activity Title: Puzzle Maker
Source: Personal experience; self-created.
Equipment: Ruler, large cardboard, aprons, larger tarp, paint, paint brush, paint sealer, pencil,
scissors, timer
Description of Activity: In this activity, the entire group is told that they will work together as a
collective group to create a giant art piece. Beforehand, the group should decide on a common
theme for their art piece (ocean, favorite sports, things about us, current holiday, etc.). Upon
completion of the art piece, the participants will be asked to describe each of their contributions
to their peers in a group discussion. Long after the paint has dried, the therapist will spray the
large piece of art with paint sealer. After, the therapist will lightly go over the art piece with a
pencil and stencil out jigsaw pieces to be cut. The group will then be asked to cut the art into the
designated pieces to find that their art work has been turned into a giant jigsaw puzzle. The group
is then asked to put the giant puzzle back together as they race against the clock set by the
therapist. The objective is to engage the entire group in an art activity that not only helps them
express themselves through art but also through communication, socialization, and discussion. It
will also help to boost self-esteem and gratification in the achievement of creating a giant puzzle
as a classroom.
Leadership considerations: This group works best in smaller to middle sized group settings (515 participants). The therapist will act as a motivator and moderator in the design process,
encouraging the participants to possible themes and to be open and embrace their creativity.
After the group comes to an agreed theme (moderated and approved by the therapist), it is
important to have the participants work together but also separate. To do this, each participant is
given their own allotted area on the large cardboard to help give equal exposure, area, and
opportunity for the participants to express their art. The therapist will then act as a facilitator and
probe and guide the group discussion and help the group recognize similarities and differences
within the group art.
Adaptations:
Clients who have ADHD: With this population, difficulty with maintaining attention span/ focus,
along with maintaining appropriate behavior can be challenging. To combat this, it is encouraged
to keep instructions simple and abrupt. Having the participants engaging early into an activity
rather than listen to instructions is a great adaptation. Also, it is encouraged to introduce finger/
hand-painting, as I have found that the sensory aspect of the wet paint on their hands helps to
keep the participants focus driven on the art aspect. If the participant does lose interest or focus
towards any part of the activity, it is highly recommended to have an alternative activity ready,
for instance, cutting jigsaw templates used later for the puzzle cutting process.

Clients who are visually impaired: Although art may seem to be an ocular process, it is actually
an emotional one. Art is an expression of the artists emotions. The emotional aspect of this
activity should be greatly emphasized when working with this population. Instead of using paint
brushes, a great adaptation is to allow the participants to use their hands. The cool and wet paint
helps to engage the participants using their touch senses rather than their sight senses. As they
paint or choose the colors they use, it is recommended that a staff member helps the
participant(s) with the color process (explaining cool or warm colors that may be appropriate
towards the collective group theme). Using descriptive words such as cool or warm may
help the participant in their thought and choice process. For example, warm colors may want
to be chosen for a beach themed art piece. Last, gluing small beads on each individual piece will
help the participants to piece the puzzle together; glue each puzzle from top left to bottom right
in numerical order in brail to guide the participant in the direction the puzzle should be
assembled.