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Why creativity is important in your child development?

Apr 05, 2023

Creativity also fosters mental growth in children by providing opportunities for trying out new ideas and new ways of thinking and problem-solving.

Babies and young children are taking their first steps in creative exploration from birth as they begin to make connections and make sense of the world; they are natural explorers.

The development of our creative thinking skills is widely accepted as a key 21st century skill. Our world is rapidly changing, and the skills needed to adapt and innovate are becoming increasingly important. Additionally, we know that babies and young children need nourishment in order to flourish and reach their potential. There are many areas that nourish us. We need a balanced, healthy diet; physical exercise; rest and sleep; social and emotional interaction; and, crucially, the freedom to play and develop their creativity. Being creative is beneficial for our sense of well-being and mental health. This is true for everyone, children and adults.

The importance of play

Making these outrageous connections sounds like lots of fun! There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that young children learn and develop best through play; in fact, play is often called the ‘highest form of learning.' Through play, babies and young children have the chance to develop their confidence, self-esteem, communication, and core attitudes (or dispositions) toward learning.

While they are playing, they can build upon their natural curiosity and their desire to explore and make sense of the world around them. These dispositions are attitudes and behaviors such as persistence, resilience, collaboration, and risk-taking. These provide the foundations for learning. Through play and our support, children will naturally develop the skills to cultivate their creativity.

Possibilities are generated by children (and adults) in all areas of learning, whether imaginative play, exploring music and composition, cooking, mark-making or writing, outdoor physical play, mathematical development, or an early understanding of the world.

Imaginative play

Imaginative and pretend play engage children creatively. This is often self-driven and self-directed, following children’s interests and experiences. It’s great fun to support the play by taking a role and adding props. For example, if children show an interest in animals, you could suggest collecting toy animals and playing vets together. However, it’s important to allow your child to guide the play and decide the direction that it will follow, tempting though it may be to take over!

By offering a variety of "open-ended" items that kids can use to create their own whatever-they-want-it-to-be play, parents and teachers can encourage more free-form play and creative thinking in their young charges.

This could be anything from plain rolls of old wallpaper and fabric to old cardboard boxes.

No planning and let your children take the lead is also the best way to help children grow creativity. When children take the lead they can have a feeling of freedom and creativity develop easily. It can be at home or outside.

Slowdown your planning and offer endless time outside.

Why wooden toys?

Nov 02, 2022

One of the primary advantages that wooden toys have is that they require a child to use their own imagination to play. Play in the beginning stages of a child is crucial for their development and growth. In today’s day in age, there are an infinite number of toys to choose from that can interact with your child. However, studies show that imaginative play is CRUCIAL for a child’s cognitive ability. Wooden toys do not have electronic parts or voice commands that will instruct your child on what to do. Thus, allowing your child to use their reasoning skills as to which activities they see fit. Role-play and imaginative play will also stimulate different types of intelligence like emotional, thinking, and social skills. Some of the classic wooden toys, like puzzles and building blocks, help children with numeracy, motor skills and problem solving. Children also begin to exercise their fine motor skills and hand eye coordination with wooden toys instead of simply pressing buttons and watching.

Children love to experience different weights and textures. Plastic doesn’t give off the same feeling and sensory experience to a child as a wooden toy does. There is a certain sensation that comes with rubbing your hands over a well-crafted wooden object and kids know this better than anyone. On top of this feeling, there is a timeless element that wooden toys add to a room. This modern look and simplicity adds perfect decor to any room.

Getting Started with Montessori Parenting

Dec 09, 2021

Taking on the Montessori approach at home can be a daunting task. After all, Montessori educators complete extensive training and specialize in interpreting and guiding children’s learning based on years of practice.

To get started with Montessori parenting, the first thing to remember is to set realistic expectations. You don’t need to be the perfect Montessori parent. Give yourself and your child grace as you progress and learn together.

Show your child they are important

Speak to your child using respectful language, listen to what they have to say, and ask for their opinion.

Children need to feel heard, loved, and secure. The way you interact with your child models how they will interact with others.

Set consistent expectations and limits

Establish consistent expectations with clear limits for behaviour. Limits are natural consequences when negative behaviour continues.

For example, when your child has a bath, the expectation is that water stays in the tub. If your child continues to splash, you would enforce the limit:

Reinforce the expectation as a positive i.e. “We keep water in the tub.”
Explain the limit i.e. “If you continue splashing, the floor will be slippery, which makes it unsafe.”
If the splashing continues, enforce the limit i.e. “You haven’t kept the water in the tub so the floor isn’t safe. Bath time is over now. We can try again tomorrow. Would you like to dry yourself, or would you like some help?”
Nurture feelings of safety through routine

Establish a predictable routine for activities throughout the day, and do things the same way, every day.

Routine and predictability teach children what is expected of them and when. This helps children feel safe and secure which helps them regulate their emotions.

Offer controlled choices to show you value their input

Offer your child a controlled choice of “this” or “that” to apply freedom within limits at home. For example: “Do you want a sandwich or pasta for lunch?”

Offering your child controlled choices shows them that you value their input and that what they think matters.

Show don’t tell

When showing your child an activity, drop down to their level, and use minimal words so they focus on your hands, not your mouth.

It’s also important to present from left to right, and top to bottom, to help your child develop a sense of order. This assists in preparing them for writing and reading.

Observe your child

Watch your child with your complete attention and take notice of their interests, strengths, and abilities.

When you notice a new fascination, introduce activities that will expand their interests, and encourage them to develop new skills.

Use prompting questions to encourage problem-solving

When your child asks a question, use prompting questions to encourage your child to problem-solve on their own.

For example, if your child asks: “Where are my shoes?” you may choose to answer with: “Where did you last see your shoes?”

Everything in its place

Accessibility and order are primary considerations when setting up a Montessori learning space. Use the mantra: “Does it have a purpose and a place?” when organizing your child’s play space.

Select child-sized furniture and display activities on low open shelves in baskets or trays that your child can easily access. Choose four to eight activities to have on display and rotate them based on your child’s interest. Less is often more.

Foster independence and autonomy

Look for opportunities for independence that are appropriate to your child’s age and skill level.

For an infant, this might be learning to drink from a cup or eating using a spoon, whereas preschool-aged children may be capable of brushing their teeth or making a simple snack.

Slow down and stand back

Children are capable of amazing things when you stand back and give them the time and space to figure things out for themselves.

In practice, this might mean allowing an extra 10 minutes in the morning for your child to dress themselves or encouraging them to try something a different way instead of doing it for them.