Knowledge is great no doubt. But the power of the imagination is unrivaled. Famous scientist Albert Einstein once said so, because he acknowledged that the ability to think outside the box trumps the ability to be a master at coloring within the lines, so to speak. While knowledge can be limited, he said, imagination is without limits! If you’d like to give your little one a creative head start in life, so they are well versed to tackle the unpredictability of our world, check out these top real world learning activities that are just what the doctor ordered.
- Reading Is The Building Block Of Creativity
Free the imagination bubbling within your little artist by reading to them often. For when we read, we expand the boundaries of our imagination, paving the way for the mind to also run wild with possibilities.
We get a better understanding of topics we’ve never encountered before, and more importantly, reading offers visualization practice for your little one. When she hears the words, the images are forming within her mind to accompany those words. In the end, constant reading to your little- or telling her stories- is like gym practice for her mind.
If you’re short on ideas for reading material, we recommend you check out the Vaekke, parent child preschool program. It contains a hive of fun learning activities for children, not least of which are reading exercises
- Talk Together And Ask Questions
Your little one may not be able to hold lucid conversations with you yet, but as long as they can hear or understand what you’re saying, try to talk to them as much as possible. While the discussion may be one-sided, we can assure you that the listening is not.
So talk to your little one as you go about your daily life. Explain why you’re cooking a certain way instead of the other, and basically walk her through what and why you’re doing it. If she can speak, encourage her to ask questions to fill her curiosity. And you should ask here questions of your own as well. Preferably, ask her open-ended questions that require her to describe, think and express her feelings beyond simple yes or no answers.
- Unstructured Play Is The Way To Go
Not everything has to have a learning objective. There need not be complex rules or an instructor or teacher to offer directions. And there also doesn’t need to be a strategy per se. It is a child-led approach that involves a lot of improvisation from your little one which is always a good thing for her creativity.
Of course, unstructured play can also involve your child and her peers. If anything, the more the merrier. The good thing about this form of play is that your child’s curiosity is in control. She makes or solves her own problems, and tries out different approaches until something works. Other benefits of unstructured play include:
- It’s more fun for your little one
- It builds a sense of control and freedom which encourages learning
- Children get to know themselves better
Examples of unstructured play and preschool activities for preschoolers include playdough activities where your child creates shapes, animals, buildings, or anything she sets her mind to.
- Free Play With Balloons
You may use colorful balloons as a way to accentuate the décor for your beloved’s birthday party. But do you let your little munchkin play with it afterward? If not, you should because balloon play packs many brain-boosting qualities that will surprise you.
Balloon sports, for example, where your kids come up with a game, is good for creativity. You could also design a simple obstacle course at home and let your little ones try to get through while holding the balloon string in their mouth for example.
You could also get art and crafty with balloon play, using it to complete art pieces such as clouds, or even use balloons as a fun way to teach basic numeracy and sorting skills. The possibilities are quite endless when it comes to using these simple objects to rev up your child’s creativity quotient.
- Turn off the screen. Go outside
TVs and other gadgets can be a lifesaver for the busy parent who needs to get through chores or work without distractions. That’s understandable. But don’t let a device always be your babysitter.
Encourage your little ones to venture into your background, and discover what nature has to offer. Let them feel the soil, touch the vegetables if you have a garden, follow the insects, or play peek-a-boo among the trees. Drifty outdoor daydreams are also good for fueling the creative spirit. Of course, screen time isn’t necessarily a bad thing but too much of it can lead to:
- Eye strains
- Increased snacking and weight problems
- The disruption of sleep patterns and quality
And remember, when your little one is stuck on TV, they’re not really coming up with ideas of their own. Rather they are just observing other people’s ideas. To get your child outside and engaged in actively creative activities, consider the Vaekke device free preschool program at home.
- Turn Your House Into A Playground
For the careful parent, you need to loosen up and let go about how your house looks- or sounds- like. Understand that children are noisy and messy, and they need to be if they are to be creative.
Remember, there is no order to being creative. If anything, creativity at its best is disorderly. Your little one will spill items you’ve sorted into a box, she’ll try to paint or color the walls (you should probably get a board for this or set aside a special “creativity wall” in your home), and she will basically throw everything into disarray. But you should stop them. Let the joyful chaos go on and your home will be a safe space for your little one’s creativity to blossom.
Vaekke Has Tons Of Unstructured Play Ideas!
Do you need more inspiration for brain-boosting preschool activities at home that will grow your little angel’s creative abilities? The Vaekke EQ-centric, parent-child program is for you. Enjoy a daily activity list of fun and holistic play ideas that will nurture your little one’s creativity as well as build fine motor and social skills. For details, visit the Vaekke website right away.