ARCHIPELAGO
DEMO version
The Archipelago method offers a structured, playful and creative way of working with a child who has experienced divorce or parental separation. The method helps the child to accept the new situation in the family, adapt to it and continue to grow.
The child chooses one of three animal friends (tiger, rabbit, hedgehog) and creates his story about an earthquake that separated his parents.
Archipelago means a series of islands. The program works with the metaphor that each family is a bit like an archipelago made up of several islands, separated and yet connected together. Individual members of the family differ from one another – with different needs, ways of experiencing, behavior, and are just simply not all the same. At the same time, they have a lot in common because they meet each other, respect one another, speak together, share their experiences, think of each other, enrich one another and are important to each other.
The method uses interactive computer program/software which is free for the first 30 days. If you decide to continue working with it, further use is subject to a fee of 240 EUR for lifetime license.
The program is based on a comprehensive psychological approach to working with children. We try to describe and explain every step in working with this application and a comprehensive Archipelago Handbook is available for free.
Archipelago may be used by professionals with different psychotherapeutical approaches.
The program is designed to be used with children approximately 4-12 years old.
If you would like to buy multiple licenses as an institution or organization, see more info at: For Institutions and Organizations.
The software itself does not store any data regarding your work with the children anywhere other than on your own computer.
MINIMAL SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS:
OS: Windows Vista SP1+, Mac OS X 10.9+
Graphics card with DX10 (shader model 4.0) capabilities.
CPU: SSE2 instruction set support
The software requires a personal computer or a laptop and cannot be used on a tablet.
You will need an Internet connection to download and launch the program as well as to renew your license, but you do not need to be connected to the Internet for normal use.
The software is downloaded as a ZIP file and needs to be expanded by clicking the folder and then clicking on the “application” icon and selecting “extract everything”.
REGISTER AND GET ARCHIPELAGO FOR 30 DAYS FOR FREE
Once you register Archipelago software is available on your Account in “Download” section. While downloading the software you will be once more asked to login as we need to protect the product form unauthorized access.
HANDBOOK ARCHIPELAGO
Handbook Archipelago is free and it includes detailed instructions for working with the program, the theoretical background of the method, recommended literature and other topics for working with children.
Download Handbook Archipelago for free.
CARDS FOR THE INITIAL WORK WITH THE CHILD
This is a set of eleven cards that you can print and laminate. We recommend color printing to A4 size, but it is entirely up to you.
This is one of the ways to get the work process started and to get the child into the project.
The cards help the child to realize what the whole thing is about.
Recommended instructions for working with cards are in detail described in Archipelago Handbook which is aso available for free.
HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN ARCHIPELAGO ANIMALS FROM TOWELS OR CLOTHING MATERIALS
The use of animal toys is described in the Archipelago Handbook.
We are looking for different ways to make animals quickly and cheaply. We are experiencing that when children make a toy in a few minutes directly on the consultation, they are very happy about it. When they can then take them home, it helps them deepen their identification with the animal and keep their interest in the whole project. We use the method of so-called towel folding. The only difference is that we fold the pieces of fabric and fasten the warehouses with an elastic band. And of course we will supplement the eyes, bows, nose. If you have any other ideas, we’ll be happy to inspire you and add them here. Don’t hesitate, create and share your ideas.
Probably the best guide are the videos from one workshop from March 2019, which can be found as contributions on our Facebook pages.
The video inspired by the production of the hare can also be watched here:
The video inspired by the production of the hedgehog can also be watched here:
Materials we use:
Cloth Archipelago Animals:
