Creativity in Young Children

Creativity begins early in life. It is amazing to see how young children show unique ways to express themselves and manipulate things in their environment. Creativity is generally seen as the ability to see things and think in a different manner.

Young children use creativity in many ways and it is vital for their development and learning. They manipulate toys, explore space, and even solve problems. It involves children initiating their own learning and making choices and decisions. It encourages children to express themselves freely. Most importantly it fosters their sense of self.

Creativity is always thought of as a medium to explore art materials such as crayons, paint and play dough. It is however not limited to art and craft only. Creativity emerges as children explore their own ideas; express themselves through music, movement, and imaginative play.

Creativity takes different forms. It can be explored in different areas of learning.

Creative Music and Movement

It involves the way children explore sound, movement and music. Musical creativity can be fostered by listening to different music, singing, playing different musical instruments. Along with providing children different opportunities to explore music, children can be provided opportunities for creative movement. It is a joyful way for children to develop physical and sensorial skills. It involves physical activity. Children can be provided different kinds of props such as streamers, ribbons etc to use while they move to music. Allow children to dance using different props on different kinds of music, or practice simple athletics, etc.

Creativity and Art
 
Creative art involves providing children opportunities to work with colour, paint, crayons, play dough, different textured materials etc. Use materials such as paper, crayons, markers, pencils, chld safe scissors, paint, play dough, collage materials (scrap paper, wool, lace, ribbon, large buttons, etc.). It is important to allow children to explore these materials the way they wish to. Encourage children to describe their creative work.

Creativity and Play

Play is vital for children’s healthy development. During play children express themselves creatively when they use play materials in unusual ways, they engage in imaginative play and role-playing. Children develop and build their imagination through role-plays, stories etc. Provide children different play materials for them to explore.

The art of creativity is vital in the development of children. It helps children develop and explore a variety of ideas and concepts and at the same time it is fun for children.

To encourage creativity

• Allow the child to explore without any restrictions

• Provide children with positive encouragement

• Emphasize on the process rather than product

• Accept children’s ideas as they are

• Provide children with different kinds of materials

• Give children enough time to explore

• Provide a playful environment

The ‘CARED’ Approach

Communication is more than words. We can communicate with our actions and behavior. It is important to communicate well with children. Good communication helps children develop self-confidence and self esteem. Children with high self-esteem grow into adults who feel good about themselves.

The “CARED” approach is an effective way of ensuring that children feel heard, respected and appreciated. You can make sure that your child is cared for by following the “CARED” approach to a healthy Self Esteem.

Be Courteous

Courteous children have courteous role models. The first step in teaching courtesy is being courteous. Children learn by imitating the behaviour of people around them. Saying “Please”, “Thank you” and “You’re welcome” to the children in the course of normal conversation are right examples of being courteous to children. This shows respect towards the child and thereby increases their self esteem

Attend and Accept

Accept children as they are and for who they are. When children know that we accept them as they are they are able to feel good about themselves. Children who feel accepted are more likely to share their feelings and problems. Remember, when adults threaten, children will feel worthless, when they preach children feel that they are not liked. We can accept children without approving of their behaviour.

Pay attention to what children say. Young children take only a few seconds to share their thoughts and feelings. Parents and teachers can stop what they are currently doing and listen to what the children have to say. If it is difficult to spare some time, tell the child that I am busy right now, but we will talk later and make sure that you do listen to your child later. However, what is most important that we must not pretend to be listening to children when we are not.

Keep Requests Simple

Young children do best when they carry out one request at a time. It is difficult for them to remember a series of requests. For e.g. If we tell a child, “Go to your room, pick up your toys and put them in the bag”. These are a series of orders given at a time. Instead we can break up the tasks for e.g. ask the child to pick up the toys. Once this task is complete, we can move on to the next.

Talk at Eye level

Eye contact improves communication. You may have to stoop or sit to be eye to eye with a young child but the results will be justified. Talking with children and listening to what they have to say are valuable habits that if formed early are very essential when they grow up to become teenagers.

Use ‘Do’ Statements

Try telling children what to do rather than what not to do. Positive communication is received and understood better than negative communication. For instance, rather than saying, “Don’t draw on the wall”, you can say “Colour on this page”.

Self-esteem is not like a cool pair of sneakers that one loves to have but doesn’t have to have. Good self-esteem helps a child know that every part of him/her is worth caring for and protecting.

To build a healthy Self Esteem, your child needs to be “CARED” for…

Fun with nature

In this age of television, computers, and electronic gadgets, children are deprived of the simple pleasures of exploring nature. Their hectic schedules at school, classes and extra-curricular activities, have left them with little time to play outdoors. It is unfortunate that children today are robbed of a very essential part of their childhood, connecting with nature.

 Children have always learned by being curious and asking questions. One of the things families can do is take young children outside and let them explore nature. They are often fascinated by water, sand, mud, rain, clouds, plants and many more things in our environment. Exploring nature has many benefits.

 • Nature gives children an opportunity to learn and explore through their senses

• Being out in nature helps children to become more aware

• It stimulates curiosity as children have an opportunity to learn by themselves

• When children play outdoors they jump, run and move about keeping them physically and mentally fit

• And above all, enjoying nature is an important part of every child’s development

The benefits of being a part of nature are endless. It is about giving the children that opportunity to get closer to nature. There are many things that parents, and teachers can do to help children develop a love for nature.

Expose them to the natural world
Encourage children to play in the garden. Let them pick up and observe leaves, flowers, rocks, etc. Point out and name trees, insects, birds, and animals to them. Expose them to the natural world from the time they are young.

Gardening
A great way to help children connect to nature is to involve them in gardening. Have children sow seeds and grow plants of their choice. Encourage the children to sows the seeds, put the soil, and water the plants. This is one of the best way for children to watch the plants grow and learn how to take care of them.

Plan a trip
You can plan picnics and outings to nature spots for your child. Spend time visiting the beach, zoo, nature park etc. Children can experience the natural environment, take them to the beach to show the setting sun, to a sanctuary to see the wild life. Encourage your children to observe things around them.

Foster curiosity
Give children opportunities to foster curiosity. Let them explore nature by giving them simple instruments like magnifying glasses, a pair of binoculars, or a simple telescope. Encourage children to make a note of their observations of things they see around them. These are simple ways to introduce children to the world of science.

There are innumerable ways to get your child to enjoy nature. It will not only help them become more aware and responsible towards their environment, but also cherish these experiences.