# Addressing Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms in Young Children: The Potential of Non-Therapeutic Play and Art

## TL;DR

This study explores how pretend play and art activities affect emotional and behavioral symptoms in preschoolers, finding that art-based projects help reduce anxiety.

## Contribution

The study identifies art-based project activities as a potential non-therapeutic method to reduce anxiety in preschoolers.

## Key findings

- Art-based project activities significantly reduced anxiety–withdrawal in preschoolers.
- Executive functions were a significant predictor of reduced anxiety–withdrawal.
- Pretend play and anger–aggression or social competence showed no significant changes.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: The search for non-therapeutic ways to reduce emotional and behavioral symptoms is an important task. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of pretend play and art-based project activity as easily implementable ways to reduce anxiety, aggression, and anti-social behavior in preschoolers. Methods: A total of 36 preschoolers (mean age 68.7 months) with high anxiety–withdrawal level were selected and divided into four groups: adult-supported pretend play, free pretend play, project activity, and a control group. Each group had 20 sessions, lasting 20–25 min. Pre- and post-test included the assessment of anxiety–withdrawal, anger–aggression, and social competence. Executive functions were also assessed at the pre-test as a control variable. Results: The results showed that art-based project activities reduced anxiety–withdrawal in preschoolers. Pretend play, both with and without adult involvement, did not have a significant effect. No significant changes were found for anger–aggression and social competence. Results revealed that the level of executive functions was a significant predictor of the reduction in anxiety–withdrawal. Conclusions: The study specified the role of executive functions in emotional symptoms and showed the potential of art-based project activities to reduce anxiety. The results obtained can be implemented in kindergarten practice.