It's Great to Create!

We all know that we learn best by experiencing things ourselves and talking about these experiences with others, whether before, during or after the experiences has happened.  Children naturally are inquisitive and look for chances to gain exposure to the world. So it is easy to see that children need these opportunities to build their knowledge base and language skills. Children construct meaning about their world through experiences with the environment. The firsthand experience serves as the foundation for future conversations, predictions during reading, story ideas for writing, understanding science and math concepts, etc. Creative activities give hands-on experiences which are more concrete and engaging.  This provides a firm foundation for children on which to grow personally, socially, and academically. As adults we have an opportunity to spark or extinguish a child's natural sense of wonder and exploration.  Creative experiences, especially the messy ones, are a wonderful way to promote their wonder and exploration while helping to build a connection between their inner world of thoughts and intuition with the outer world of physical properties and laws.

Pointers for Maximizing the Benefits of Creative Activities:

• make sure all art materials are nontoxic (given close supervision, parents may vary this for older children, based on the activity)
• buy sturdy supplies for younger children as they are still learning how to use tools and materials
• display the work or project at home and share with other family members or neighbors
• let children use materials their own way when doing crafts - don't have a final "product" in mind
• let children do the whole project - the more parents do, the less value the project has to the child
• think of ways to extend the experience, for example, with a related story, book, "field trip," a walk, a TV show
• repeat the activity in the child wants to - repetition allows the child to fully explore and understand the activity or experiment - gives him a chance to "work through" the process and learn how things work
• don't have specific rules and directions that impose on imagination and spontaneity
• describe what was made or the steps taken to make something or to complete the science project
• always use correct terms for materials, equipment, and the process taking place
• be sensitive to your child's needs and interests - let these drive what activities are done
• don't overwhelm with questions - enjoy the experience and the questions your child has
• pick up on cues from your child and weave a few of your questions or ideas in with theirs
• children need to probe to gain understanding - parents have to strike a balance between helping and interfering

Do's During Creative Activities:

1. Encourage with constant praise.
2. Display the best work where other members of the family can see and admire it.
3. Do be prepared to listen when your child wants to talk about his or her discoveries.
4. Do play only when he or she is interested.
5. Do introduce new ideas slowly and carefully
6. Do give your child plenty of practice with any new skills.
7. Do restore their confidence when they fail to understand, by abandoning the activity and then returning to something they know they can do well.

Don'ts During Creative Activities:

1. Don't try more than one new idea at a time.
2. Don't take knowledge for granted.
3. Don't be impatient.
4. Don't linger over a project in your child becomes bored or if other distractions interfere.
5. Don't use these times as punishment... "Now sit quietly and do this..."
6. Don't force your child to do a particular project or activity.