BOOSTING YOUR CHILD’S IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY

1. BOOSTING YOUR CHILD’S IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY Children are naturally drawn toward imaginative play. From dressing up as their favorite community helper to painting those beautiful refrigerator masterpieces, a child learns about the world through expressing their creativity. While imaginative play is a huge part of the preschool years and at overnight summer camp, it is important to continue supporting your child’s need to create as they advance through school. Use these ideas to jumpstart your older child’s imagination so that they can develop talents in the creative arts. ENCOURAGE CREATIVE WRITING Journaling is a great place to start for getting your kids to think creatively. Often, a child will begin by writing about their day and then branch out into making up stories. Story prompts are another fun way to stimulate creativity. Just give them a sentence or two and watch those wheels start turning! As your child begins to write stories, poems and other literary works, encourage them to join a kid’s writing group or form one of their own after school with their friends. GET THEM INVOLVED IN OVERNIGHT SUMMER CAMP DRAMA Learning to see the world from different perspectives is an important component of growing creatively. Overnight summer camp theater and drama classes encourage children to think outside the box and literally walk in someone else’s shoes as they perform. In their drama group, your child will also learn techniques such as improvisational performing that require them to think quickly on their feet while relating to the audience. The opportunities for creativity go beyond simply acting, since designing a set, writing a play and directing all require a child to use their imagination.

2. EXPLORE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ART If your child feels as though they are not creative, it is possible that they have yet to find their special talent. Be sure to expose your child to a wide range of different creative arts. A child who feels they cannot draw may discover that they are a talented sculptor. Playing a musical instrument, making jewelry and gardening are a few more artistic activities that will challenge your child to change how they view their ability to make new things. It is important to help your child retain that youthful imagination which allows them to explore new ideas. Nurturing your child’s creative talent is easy when you provide them with opportunities for self-expression. Whether your child loves to write plays, act them out on stage or design the scenery or costumes putting their creativity front and center will allow them to shine.