Creating the ideal environment for your child is key to nurturing their creativity. By showing them the world; all there is to do, see, listen and engage with, their creativity flourishes. They become flexible thinkers, innovative players and good experimenters.
What does it mean to be creative? It means expanding their mind’s capacity and adapting unconventional solutions, to be able to come up with creative ideas and let their imagination flow. Exploring activities outdoors, from crocodile spotting in Sungei Buloh to purchasing tickets to watch a play can inspire your child, and introduce them to new thoughts and ideas and stimulate creativity.
What can you do to foster your child’s creativity?
Outdoor play allows children to use their imaginations and explore their surroundings. It also gives them the opportunity to move their bodies and get some fresh air. There are many different outdoor experiences your child can engage in, such as playing in the park, going on a nature hike, or visiting the zoo.
1. Outdoor arts and crafts
One way to encourage creativity in children is giving them access to open ended craft materials. Arts and crafts allow children to enhance their creativity and express themselves in a variety of ways. There are many different types of art, such as painting, drawing, sculpting, and designing you can explore with your child. Experimenting with different mediums such as clay, play-doh or cloth, can allow you to incorporate sensory play into art. Some ideas you can try out with your child include:
- Painting on a canvas using natural objects such as leaves, berries, and flowers
- Making a sculpture out of natural materials such as sticks, stones, and shells
- Drawing or painting on the sidewalk with chalk
- Creating a collage using pieces of fabric, paper, and found objects
2. Take a walk through a nature trail and journal
Walking through the rainforests and hiking trails like MacRitchie Nature Trail or Fort Canning Park, and being surrounded by nature, birds, monkeys, aquatic animals can really excite your child and make them curious about the world around them. Take this interest further by bringing along a notebook and asking your child to write and draw what they discover and express their emotions through art.
3. Photograph your adventures
Introducing photography to children nurtures their creativity because it allows children to explore the world around them in a different way, view things from a different perspective, and capture their unique view of the world. Photography also helps children learn to pay attention to detail, notice beauty in everyday objects, and develop their own sense of style.
4. Starting a small garden
Starting a garden with your child is a fun outdoor activity through which you hone self-help skills and independence. They can decorate the garden, choose the plants to grow, and help care for it as it grows. Gardening encourages children to be responsible, patient, and develop a love for the natural world. As they watch their plants grow and change over time, they will learn to appreciate the beauty of nature and the process of growth.
5. Outdoor scavenger hunt
An outdoor scavenger hunt is a great way for children to use their imagination and explore their surroundings. Some ideas include:
- Finding five different types of leaves
- Collecting four kinds of berries
- Locating three acorns
- Discovering two ladybugs
- Spotting a squirrel in a tree
- Seeking out feather(s)
- Finding six flowers of any kind
By presenting your child with a list of items to find, you are encouraging them to be creative and think outside the box.
Ignite your child’s imagination
Encouraging creativity in children is important for their development. By providing them with opportunities to play outdoors, engage in arts and crafts, and have some independence, you can help your child learn how to be creative. MindChamps PreSchool designs lessons based on a curriculum that stimulates your child’s creativity and prods them to think outside the box. Begin with your Champ today.