When I was a child my time was spent outside playing “make-believe” in the backyard with my brothers. We focused on doing things that were fun for us, this could include many different things but among them were those games that allowed us to create a world all our own. With today’s youth however it is becoming the norm to just play games that are already created for you. Video games are among the most popular toys children play with. Even toddlers now have video games catering to them. Yes it is great for children to use these games to help with their hand-eye coordination and many other basic functions, and sure they are a lot of fun, but adults need to remember that a lot of a child’s cognitive learning comes from actually creating and developing things for them to act out.

            Remember when you were a child? Remember how nice it was to create a world that only you understood. When you could have a best friend that was a dragon and he would fly you to the moon where you would battle alien forces? You may think I am crazy but by doing those things you were learning. You were learning that you could do anything and all you had to do was use your imagination. Now that you are all grown up you do not have those adventures anymore, but many of us still use our imaginations. For instance if you are in advertising, you need that imagination you used as a child. That imagination brings in the big bucks. Now what if you had never used your imagination? What if as a child your parents just sat you down in front of the television and popped in a Baby Einstein DVD or a learn with Elmo DVD. What if they bought you the best new video game on the market? All you would do all day is play using someone else’s creativity. Someone else would have invented how the game will begin and how it will end. Now if you follow someone else’s map how will you ever create one yourself?

            I know it is sometimes easier as parents to just turn on a tape or DVD. I do the same thing with my niece from time to time. But that cannot be a long-term fix. It is great that these tapes can keep a child occupied and quiet so that mom and dad can get some work done or make dinner. But hey we cannot expect these tapes to teach our children how to be creative. That is still our job as the parent. So now that we know it is important to teach our kids to be creative you are probably wondering, hey, how do I do that? Well you can’t really. A child’s creativity comes from within. Each child will have their own imagination and therefore their own way of doing things. But there are ways to help a child build up their own creativity. And guess what? You don’t even need to buy a DVD.

            Now remember the imagination is always on, and is always working. You don’t have to worry about getting your child in a place that will “inspire” them. All you need to do is encourage make-believe. For instance, don’t tell your child what to go play. Try to keep away from phrases like “why don’t you go play with that toy” allow the child to play with whatever they want. Instead of telling a child what to go play try asking a child what they want to play. Do not insist that they play with a certain toy, if they seem disinterested in the toy, let them choose what they want to play with. This may seem like a small thing but it may make the difference in playing by the rules, and making up your own.

            Try not to give children things to play with which only has one type of outcome. That is the problems with most computer and video games, they only end one way. This leaves the child with nothing to create or add to the game. By giving your children toys and games that can be used in several unique ways encourages different types of play. Remember when you were a child and you played with a cardboard box? That one box could help you to play any number of games, house, spaceship rides, car races, dark caves, and undersea adventures were all available. Giving children toys that can be shaped or molded to fit their current mood or desire allows more creative play.

Children are very aware of the world around them. Incorporate your children into that world. Ask your children to help with normal day to day activities. Allow your child to dress themselves. Try not to force your child into choosing something that “matches” or telling them they can’t wear a pajama top with jeans. Let them express themselves. This may mean allowing your child to go to the store with you wearing shorts and knee high socks, a vest and maybe a ski cap. But remember it doesn’t matter what other people may think! If someone makes a comment to you about your child’s strange appearance say to them “Johnny dressed himself today didn’t you”. This will brighten your child’s day. They can show off their great “work of art” to everyone they see. Choosing their own clothes allows them to access that part of their mind that creates things, it may not be a world with a dragon and moon but it is the beginning of a great imagination. This small step can lead to great adventures.

            Time is also very important when encouraging creativity. According to Ann Lewan a director of the Capital Children's Museum in Washington, D.C:       

         One ingredient of creativity is open-ended time; children have the capacity to get lost in whatever they're doing in a way that is much harder for an adult. They need the opportunity to follow their natural inclinations, their own particular talents, to go wherever their proclivities lead them. (“The Art of Creativity”)

When allowing a child time to be creative you need to allow them a certain amount of freedom. As a parent hovering around or interrupting can stop the child and frustrate the child. Remember that if you wish to observe or participate try not to interrupt. This means being a follower not a leader which is the role parents usually play with their children. But during creative play the child is in charge. The child must have control of their fantasy world in order for them to enjoy themselves and emerge themselves in the activity. Parents must remember that creative time is about learning and exploring. You may feel that the way the child is playing is wrong, for instance if your children are playing house and they are pretending that there is going to be a baby, but the daddy will be the one who is pregnant. Do not rush in and tell the child they are doing it wrong. There is plenty of time for a child to learn how a baby is truly carried, but they need to explore it for themselves first.

            Never forget that creative play can also include reading, writing, and drawing. Children can create their own stories. Older children can actually create their own storybooks. This is wonderful because not only do they enjoy it but you can enjoy it as well. You and your child can sit before bed and read their new book. Creating the book will be a lot of fun if a child is supplied with the right materials. Crayons, markers, glue, and paper are all a child needs to create this new toy. After they begin to draw and color a story will unfold in their mind. Not only will the child design the book, he or she will also write their very own adventure! All that is required is a little bit of imagination.

             Without spending hundreds of dollars on video games or toys that say they will “teach children” you can encourage creative learning. Keep in mind that all your child really needs to be creative is their very own imagination. The tools they use to aid in the creative process can be found in your very own home:

Ø      Crayons

Ø      Paper

Ø      Tupperware makes great blocks!

Ø      cardboard boxes

Ø      their own clothes

Ø      a few old sheets to build a fort or castle

Ø      even parents old clothes can become useful, dress up is not just for little girls, boys can dress up too, they can become rock stars, train conductors, or even doctors with just a few old scarves and hats!

            So when you are encouraging your child to be creative just bear in mind that all they really need is a little bit of time and a little bit of imagination. Oh and maybe some green felt for that dragon!