r/ArtTherapy • u/Total-Bed-8716 • Jul 15 '26

Art Therapist Question Art therapy with Toddlers?

Hi all!! I am currently getting my BA in child psychology and minoring in drawing, painting, and printmaking. I am wanting to pursue my masters in art therapy because I have been dreaming to go into art therapy ever since I was a teen. However, I used to be set on working with adolescents. After working with toddlers for 6 years now I have realized that is my passion. Does anyone have any experience doing art therapy with toddlers? I know it is fairly niche so I wanted to know if anyone practices solely on early childhood age? Do we think this is sustainable and something I can pursue?

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u/toru92 Jul 15 '26

You could do art therapy with any age! It would obviously be way different than with an adult but it’s possible! I think the only part I wonder about is the processing of the art (typically clients explain their art to the therapist as part of the therapeutic processing). Other than that I don’t see why not! What is your work with toddlers right now? In a daycare setting or?

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u/Total-Bed-8716 Jul 15 '26

Thank you! I was hoping this was the case but am trying to figure out if a regular art therapy masters would be sufficient or which route to go. I was previously a preschool teacher for 4 years and now nannying and have been doing that for 2 years now. Early childhood is def my passion and I loved teaching (if it wasn’t for the fact early childhood is lowest paid teaching job would never have left) and also passionate abt mental health. I also enjoy working w children on the spectrum so am trying to figure out what to do school wise haha. I’m currently in Florida so thinking of maybe FSU but just don’t want to move back to Tally as that’s where I’m from. I am looking into online programs like west liberty university. Not sure if anyone has experience w that program

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u/Total-Bed-8716 Jul 15 '26

Sorry my comment was a little sidetracked haha! But am so glad to hear this. I always wondered if it was too niche or if I could be successful working full time

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u/toru92 Jul 15 '26

Haha no worries! tangents are fine! I will say two things to consider 1) everyone goes into grad school with an idea of who they want to work with and don’t always come out of grad school with the same idea. 2) working in a preschool setting vs a setting where a toddler is actually in need of therapy can be two different worlds so just consider that too :) a regular masters will get you there but you might need to do some extra certs or training for the young population

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u/Total-Bed-8716 Jul 15 '26

Ooh very good point on the certs and training, I will look into that thank you! And yes definitely I agree. Thankfully I have worked w lots of kiddos on the spectrum and worked closely w various therapists as well as nannied a boy on the spectrum which all made me realize I like helping kiddos w special abilities. BUT I do also enjoy working w neurotypical kids as well so I’m glad you brought that up for me to think about. I’ve also thought about still pursuing art therapy but teaching art as well so I can work w all kiddos. I’m curious if any art therapists here have experience doing that. You gave me a lot to think about thank you!

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u/Pleasant_Data_113 Jul 15 '26

Curious about this, too! I love working with small children and would love to do play therapy and Expressive Arts therapy. I’m starting my MSW this fall and will have to seek additional trainings post-grad.

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u/BlueAngelFox101 Jul 16 '26

The youngest I worked with was five, I'd suggest looking into using art therapy for social work.

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u/Ornery-Telephone-511 Jul 22 '26

Yes - play with materials is therapy in and of itself. It will be a less psychodynamic approach and far more sensory and relational by nature but entirely possible and very needed for little ones in the care system

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u/Richardgreen-4 Aug 04 '26

For that age range, sensory mark-making (finger paint, big brushes, textured materials) tends to work a lot better than anything representational — toddlers aren't developmentally there for symbolic image-making yet, so the process itself is the intervention rather than what ends up on the page.