Creative Corner
Creativity is a great form of self-expression and an important release for young, energetic children. Creative play also stimulates imagination, and has other benefits too. It can help with developing planning skills (through imagining the creation before it is started), and with sharpening physical skills such as fine motor skills (in, for example, holding and directing a pen or paintbrush) which are necessary for writing. The large, artistic and sweeping creative movements made by very young children when they are drawing, colouring and painting are the same movements they make later, only they become finer, smaller and more controlled for writing and drawing increasingly detailed pictures.
Give creativity in kids a free rein (within safe boundaries) to exploit its wide-ranging benefits. As a shared activity, it can be enjoyable for participating parents and adults, but the key to maximising a child’s learning is not to get too involved, and to avoid taking over the project to create a neat end product. The result may look like a mishmash with paper on the floor, but take time to appreciate that your child is learning to screw up paper, or cut with scissors. Remember, it is the process that helps the learning – not the tidy end creation.
Build your child’s confidence and encourage other creations by showing you appreciate their work and skills. Display creations with pride, and be generous with praise to get those young creative juices flowing.
A creative activity can be anything from quick things to do and make such as art and craft to building upon hobbies and interestes through hobby kits such as those in the Little Experience Range.
