Talking Points: The Craft of Worry Dolls

A collection of sources and imagery to explore the tradition of Guatemalan Worry Dolls.

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ages 5-8
ages 9-11
free to access

Guatemalan Worry Dolls

You may wish to show pupils the video above from 2.25 minutes onwards if there are any anxious children in the class.

"Guatemalan worry dolls" by roxweb is marked with CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Guatemalan worry dolls” by roxweb is marked with CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

"4 worry dolls at work" by Leonard J Matthews is marked with CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

4 worry dolls at work” by Leonard J Matthews is marked with CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Questions to Ask Children

When Guatemalan people make Worry Dolls, in what ways are the dolls the same and in what ways are the dolls different from each other?

What is the purpose of the dolls?

How do the dolls reflect the culture of where they are made?

Do Guatemalan people make Worry Dolls for themselves or for others, or both?

Do artists make the dolls, or do you think anyone can make the dolls? 

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: Stick Transformation project

This is featured in the 'Stick Transformation Project' pathway

This is featured in the ‘Stick Transformation Project’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Find out how pupils can respond to artists work in sketchbooks

Find out how pupils can respond to artists work in sketchbooks

Show me what you see

Enable close looking and drawing with this exercise

Enable close looking and drawing with this exercise