Previously, we had discussed the benefits of encouraging your child’s imagination. However, imagination is but one facet of creativity that all children should cultivate from a young age. Altogether, it allows them to think outside the box, come up with new ideas, and solve problems in novel and innovative ways. It also helps them better express themselves and connect with those around them.
While certain preschools — such as MindChamps PreSchool — incorporate creative activities into their curriculum framework, parents should also seek to help their children further develop their creative skills at home. The upcoming December holidays, for starters, is a great time to start.
Here are five December holiday activities to unleash your preschool child’s creativity:
1. Photography Shooting Trips
One great way to nurture your child’s creativity during the December holidays is to go on photography shooting trips together. This activity requires observation, imagination, and critical thinking — all important components of creativity.
When out and about, help your child spot interesting subjects to capture with their camera or phone. It could be a flower in bloom, an unusual-looking tree, or even a bird in flight. Then, discuss with them how they can best frame the shot. For example, should they zoom in or out? Should the subject be in the centre of the frame or off to the side?
After taking the photo, encourage your child to think about how they can edit it to make it look even more amazing. With today’s phone cameras and editing apps, the possibilities here are endless.
2. Outdoor Scavenger Hunts
Outdoor scavenger hunts are another great way to get your preschool child’s creative juices flowing. For this activity, you can either prepare a list of items for them to find or simply tell them to look out for anything that catches their eye.
As they go about searching for the items on the list (or whatever else they may have set their sights on), encourage them to think about different ways they can approach the task at hand. For instance, should they split up the list with a friend or family member so they can cover more ground? Should they start with the easier items first and save the tougher ones for later?
There is no right or wrong answer here — it’s all about encouraging children to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions as they enjoy the engaging activity you’ve thoughtfully planned out for them.
3. Baking Simple Desserts
Baking simple desserts is another terrific activity for unleashing your child’s creativity over the December holidays. Not only will they get to enjoy a delicious treat at the end of it, but they’ll also learn some valuable skills along the way, including how to properly measure ingredients and follow recipe instructions.
To make things even more fun and exciting, encourage your child to create their own unique twist on a classic dessert recipe when taking on this activity together. You’ll be surprised at what preschool children can come up with!
4. Playing Board Games
Playing board games together can also get your preschool child to engage their creative mind. Not only is it a fulfilling family activity in Singapore, it is also very fun and requires children to think strategically and generate new ideas on the fly.
There are all sorts of different board games out there for children of all ages. More popular ones include Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly, The Game of Life, and Guess Who?. Take turns playing different games with your child and see which ones they enjoy the most. You can even mix things up by prompting your child to add some creative adjustments of their own — like coming up with new rules or creative workarounds for more tedious portions of the game.
5. Performing Arts Projects
If your preschool child is into the performing arts, why not help them put on a show for the family over the December holidays? This activity will require them to be both creative and confident as they come up with a performance concept, work on their script (if any), and rehearse their lines or dance steps.
Not only will this activity help your child develop their confidence and stage presence, it will also give them a chance to express themselves and share their creativity with those around them. And who knows — you might just have the next Spielberg or Beyoncé in the making.
Develop Your Child’s Creativity with MindChamps PreSchool
While enriching your child’s December holidays with the above activities is a great way to start, there is simply no replacing the benefits of a formal preschool education when it comes to the cultivation of creativity in your child. At MindChamps Performing Arts International PreSchool, we leverage the four disciplines of performing arts to develop a holistic curriculum that cultivates not just creativity, but key literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills in children. Find out more about our admission information and school fees, and locate a learning centre near you today.