Anyone who has young children knows that one of the most complex moments of the day is that of bedtime. As soon as we talk about sleeping, most boys and girls find unthinkable energies, forcing their parents to tour de force in the evening and at night that would put a strain on the patience of a saint. We then resort to all the techniques and all the tricks, to the coaxing as well as to the threats, just to see the little eyes close in a nice prolonged sleep.
The big question, then, is: how to avoid hours of battle when it's time to go to bed and the baby or toddler doesn't want to sleep?
Arianna Techel, mother and educator in the book "I am not sleepy" (Albe Edizioni, 2021, pp. 28) shows us, illustration after illustration, the secret to making even the most agitated children fall asleep: having fun with colors and stories , because playing with mum (and dad too) is wonderful and art and beauty give peace and serenity.
We ask Arianna Techel where the choice to write and illustrate a book dedicated to the theme of sleep and related difficulties comes from:
“The starting point is my personal experience. My daughter has always struggled to sleep and I have problems with insomnia myself. Thanks to the art therapy path that I have been doing for a while, I realized how important it is not to be scared by the agitation that takes us when darkness falls, but to try to give it a voice, transform it, see it, meet it. The moment you manage to give voice to this worry, then the anxiety melts and sleep comes ".
But how can we give voice to this concern?
“I propose to take a nice white sheet, a pencil, some colors and draw, preferably with your mother. Relax and give free rein to your imagination and creativity. In this way 'the monster' that prevents so many children from closing their eyes and sleeping, that monster that is anxieties and fears, becomes less 'monstrous'. In the drawing it changes in appearance, it becomes less disturbing. Especially if you have your mum or dad next to you, someone who envelops you, who welcomes fear while drawing ".
She is the mother of three children and works as an educator with the little ones. Do they ever tell you what they are afraid of when they go to sleep?
“They talk about evil monsters who don't want to leave the room. Keep in mind that it is difficult for the little ones to verbalize anxieties and fears. Perhaps during the day they have accumulated worries and these pop up in the evening, in the form of a terrifying being under the bed. The only thing is to try to release these worries, to untie the knot that prevents you from letting yourself go to sleep. With the design, the colors, the narration, the knot can untie. Of course, not always, but in many cases it works! ".
What role do colors play in your illustrations?
“They are essential, both when I draw for a book and when I do it to relax. In my book I wanted to depict an energetic little girl and so I used strong colors, such as red and purple. Then there is the blue and the blue that represent the link with the night, a link that I depicted as a rope that accompanies the child in the book towards a peaceful sleep "
When you design a book, do you start with texts or drawings?
“In the meantime, I am inspired by the situations I experience every day as a mother of three children and an educator. I observe a lot what the little ones do and I draw precious material from it. Then I always start from illustrations, from flashes, images that come to mind. In this way I find imaginary 'threads' that are woven together. Words come last, when the knots are untied, they come naturally… like sleep when you draw ".