Give them ideas.
Children come up with things to do on their own, but we also need
to provide them with new ideas of interesting activities. Think back
to what you did as a kid. Did you write a diary, create elaborate
puppet shows, or sing and dance for relatives? Share ideas from your
own childhood experiences. Offer creative writing ideas like writing
an episode for a favorite television show or writing a new ending
to a favorite story. Craft projects offer another outlet for inspiring
imaginations. Craft kits, especially those from Curiosity Kits and
ALEX, offer a wide variety of unusual and fun projects. They’ve
brought us a long way from the sock puppets of our youth. These manufacturers
offer ideas and supplies to make such things as scrapbooks, powerballs,
soaps, candy, sun catchers, dolls, planes, dinosaurs, jewelry treasures,
and lots of decorative items. Kids can gather ideas from the instructions,
and then give the projects their own unique touches.
Keep ideas fresh.
Pick up any parenting magazine and you’ll find lots of ideas
to get those creative juices flowing in your kids. Search the web
and check out craft stores. Keep a journal or file for magazine clippings
and ideas as you find them. Stockpile so that you’ll know how
to answer the whiny “I’m bored” call from your kids.
Give them freedom.
Once you’ve given your kids some suggestions and supplies, step
back and see which they choose and where they go with them. This unstructured
play time gives kids an opportunity to stretch their creative muscles.
Watch as they incorporate your ideas and branch out on their own.
Set an example.
Chances are, if you are a creative person, your child will be too.
You display creativity in your everyday activities like when you reason
with a disgruntled child, change lyrics to songs, and maybe even do
some interpretive dancing to entertain a toddler. Your children see
your silliness and it rubs off on them. You surely use creativity
to juggle your and your family’s schedules. It’s a great
idea to point out to your kids how you use creativity in your daily
life.
As parents, we always try to do the very best for our kids and provide opportunities that will help them mature into intelligent, capable adults. Nurturing their creative spirits helps them along this road. With their well-developed imaginations, maybe they’ll turn it into a yellow brick, pink polka-dotted road with sparkles!
Susan Stump is the mother of two children and the owner of ChildCrafter,
Co. - Craft Kits and Subscriptions that Inspire a Child’s Imagination.
This work-at-home-mom offers a great selection of creative craft kits
from ALEX, Quincrafts, and Curiosity Kits from her catalog and website
(www.childcrafter.com).
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