Second Grade: Play is the Business of Children

Creativity and Children

The word "creativity" is a bit frightening for many of us. We usually think of great artists, writers and scientists when someone talks about the creative person. Few of us stop to realize that we all have the power to be creative and that most of us are involved in creative experiences and activities every day. It's possible to be a creative person without being an artist. There are creative bricklayers, salesmen, lawyers, teachers and certainly creative parents. Anyone who lives with children must continually be looking for new ideas and ways of helping and teaching children, and this involves creativity. Creativity is a special way of seeing, learning and thinking about things. It involves new ideas, feelings and experiences.

Every child has the potential to be creative. Experiences at home and at school help shape a child's expression of creativity — for better or worse. Remember, there is rarely only one right way to do things. Encourage your child to find alternatives.

By helping your child be more creative and develop into a creative adult, you are actually giving her greater access to all that life has to offer. She will be able to find more pleasure and satisfaction in all parts of living.

Much of the play equipment listed earlier will aid in developing your child's creativity. Some other ideas include:

• Play dough used for modeling can be made by mixing 1 to 1 1/2 cups flour and 1/2 cup salt. Slowly add 1/2 cup water and 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Knead well and store in a covered jar in the refrigerator.
• For bubble play, fill a shallow pan with 1/2 inch of clean water. Add 4 big squirts of liquid detergent and mix gently. Dip one end of an empty thread spool in the mixture. Blow gently through the other end.
• Magazine pictures or family photos can be arranged in designs and glued on boards.
• Your child enjoys dramatic play and will enjoy dress-up clothes. Old clothes, shoes, jewelry, briefcases and hats are fun for dress-up play.
• All sports equipment, especially bicycles, should be the correct size. Roller skates and inline skates can be dangerous. All bikers and skaters need helmets. Serious skaters will want to invest in protective gear, such as wrist guards and knee pads. Teaching your child to put her outdoor toys away prevents unnecessary wear and rust.
• Young sledders should wear helmets.

Hopefully, this list will help you develop some ideas for encouraging your child to become more creative. Happy playing.