This issue of our newsletter will focus on Creativity. We know we should foster our children’s imaginations, but our busy lives often don’t seem to have a place for creativity that isn’t tied to productivity. Schools, too, can struggle to find the time to tackle this not-so-tangible subject.
A child with a good imagination is happier as they are able to cope better with life’s twists and turns. Being creative doesn’t mean you’re a painter or sculptor. CEOs and political leaders, too, benefit from being creative, which lets them see things in new ways and find solutions to problems others might miss. That kind of problem-solving and innovative thinking begins with the power of imagination.
So how do we inspire this power in our children? Here are some suggestions
1. Unpuppets: Gather a box of assorted household items — a strainer, a shoe box, paper cups, a torch, whatever you can think of that’s not sharp or fragile — and have your child create a puppet show using these objects as the “puppets.” You’ll be amazed at the characters your child will create.
2. Wacky photos: Use old photographs, the ones where someone had their eyes closed or had a bad hair day, and let your child cut them up. Then with some glue, paper, and markers have fun turning these stray faces and body parts into new people, or create a fantasy picture.
3. Big box: Ask a local appliance store for a large cardboard box. Using scissors and markers your child can transform the box into whatever they can imagine. Don’t give them any suggestions; let them think for themselves.
Keeping kids in touch with objects from nature inherently inspires their imagination; as does play with open-ended toys, such as blocks or sand, which have endless possibilities.
Try these out yourself. Have some fun and share some of your pictures on our Facebook page.
