Creativity is the root of all original ideas. It is responsible for our greatest inventions. It’s the reason for solutions. And it is the foundation of a young child’s emotional, spiritual and intellectual development. Often, those with the most vivid imaginations not only become the best artists, designers, actors and writers, but they also find great success in the business world.
We’ve all heard time and again that everyone is creative, whether he or she knows it or not. But what makes one child more creative than another? Well, other than the obvious answer relating to genetics, it is the child’s environment. Freedom to think independently and opportunity for self-expression are critical elements of a creative environment.
Here are some ideas to spark the imaginations of your children:
1. Play The Story Game – Either you or your child start to tell a story. Only tell a little bit of the story. For example, “A boy named Jack and his sister, Julia, rode their bikes to the grocery store to buy some candy..” The other person will add on to it. “But just Jack and Julia were about to go inside the store, they saw something amazing in the parking lot…” The goal is to try to add as many twists and turns and surprises to the plot as possible. “A woman dressed in circus clothes was riding on an elephant in the parking lot!…” What results is always a lot of imaginative thinking and even more laughter. Each storyteller, whether the child or the adult, is always surprised at what wacky ideas the other storyteller comes up with. That in turn generates new ideas for both involved. And this game can be played with the entire family, to really make it interesting. Often there are many rounds until the story gets so ridiculous that one person finally ends it.
2. Play The Picture Game – In line with The Story Game, one person starts with part of a drawing on a page, usually a simple shape lie a rectangle. The other person adds on to the picture to start shaping something recognizable. This is a great game to play in the car, passing the paper back and forth. You can play until the entire page is filled with drawings of a scene. The fun of it all is looking at what the other person created from your lines and shapes and figuring out what you can do to change into something else.
3. Take a Walk in Your Neighborhood – Walking through alleys and parks can help you get started on a fun and imaginative project. Look all around you. Notice all you can about the birds, insects and plants. Start collecting items you find on the ground to bring home. Depending on the place and time of year, you might find interesting leaves, sticks, acorns, pine cones, pieces of paper, rocks and so on. Bring them home and make a craft. If it is autumn, you can press the leaves in a book between paper towels. You may want to use other items to make a wreath for your front door or to give a friend as a gift.
4. Encourage Writing – Young children love story paper that you can buy from an educational supply store. You know the kind of paper – with space for a picture on the top and lines to write on the bottom. Challenge your child to write a story for you. Display it proudly on the fridge.
5. Lay on a blanket in late afternoon with your children in your backyard (when it’s warm enough!) and look up at the clouds. See what shapes the clouds form. Look for clouds that look like animals, faces, flowers and other objects. Can you see the same shapes as your kids? Can they see yours?

You’ll find that when you do these activities with your children, you will get your creative juices flowing as well. And best of all, you’ll be spending quality time with the most important people in your life – your kids.
What’s your favorite way to be creative with your child?

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