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The Capital Disctrict Parent Pages Features are cover stories pulled from our print edition. For ALL features, stories & more, pick up an issue at one of our many locations.
5 ways to spark creativity in your child
Posted on Tue, September 30th, 2008
Written by: J.B. Baker, Editor
email: cdparentpg@aol.com
Yes indeed, times have changed. Gone are the days when kids came home from school, wolfed down a glass of milk and a peanut butter sandwich and headed outdoors to just play.
Parents who look back on those carefree days as some of their most fulfilling, worry about their children not spending enough time fostering their creativity, bemoan the fact that their children spend too much time on the computer, watching TV or playing a video game.
“I do worry that they aren’t using their imaginations,” said Carrie Bowman of Cornith, of her three children ages 11, 7 and 4. “When we were kids, most of our free time was spent doing things that made us think. We’d make up games, draw, play dress-up or read. I can’t tell you how many books I read as a kid—and still wanted to read more. We didn’t have every book made into a movie.”
And while every generation worries that their children won’t have the same experiences they had as children, what parents tend to forget is that they do have the ability to nurture independence and creativity in their children by offering artistic outlets that don’t require a plug. Because kids’ imaginations seem to have no limits, childhood is often thought of as a magical time. Studies show that creative children grow into creative adults who view the world as having endless possibilities.
Here are a few ways parents can inspire children to walk on the adventurous side and exercise their artistic genius.
1. Show off their artistic side
Paint, glue, stickers, paper and markers supply a never-ending venue for your child’s expression. Let them can create a scrapbook of their family, friends or their favorite holiday – photos are relatively inexpensive these days. Or, in October or November, let them create your Christmas cards or purchase a huge roll of butcher paper and let them make their own wrapping paper.
“I have a big box of art supplies and paper that I leave under the dining room table,” Bowman said. “We don’t buy birthday cards anymore – the kids make them. Before they start they put newspapers down on the table to cut down on the mess, and then they can just do whatever they want.”
2. Music is in the air
Even babies love music – it is a creative skill that is innate and fostering a child’s love for music can begin at a very age.
“Preschool ‘Mommy and Me’ classes allow a child to get used to rhythmic movements, listening and vocalizing, “ said Bill Hall, owner of Logan Studios in Clifton Park. “There are many benefits to music lessons – besides the creative aspect and the discipline it instills, studies show ties to studying music and improved test scores.” As kids get older, music forms an important aspect of their social environment and learning to play an instrument is a skill that can be enjoyed for a person’s entire life, Hall pointed out.
3. All the world is a stage
Live theater taps into a very powerful instinct in children, to explore by pretending. Pretending is important to a child’s emotional development – helping them to understand their own, and other people’s feelings. Acting also allows kids to safely explore different emotions. For your very young children keep a dress-up box available. As they get older, let them create their own plays and shows – the stage may just be your living room or patio. While mom and dad can help with some things, the real fun is letting kids create their own homemade costumes out of things you have around the house and their own imagination. As kids get older, encourage them to audition for roles in their school play, and even local productions. Even if your children do not go on to grace a Broadway stage or earn an Oscar, the self-confidence and team-building skills they learn will last a lifetime.
4. Dance the night away
Dancing is a very creative art form and a great and fun way to get kids exercising.
“Dance is a wonderful way for children to express themselves,” said Barb Pregont, co-owner of The World of Dance in Colonie. “It could be hip hop, ballet, tap or jazz, but learning how to move and control your own body and feeling good about yourself is very important to children. Dance gives you those important skills while letting you have a great time.” At home, turn on the music and let the kids choreograph their own dances. Then pop some popcorn and sit back and enjoy the free entertainment.
5. Turn on the heat
Cooking with your children is a great opportunity to spend time with them. All children feel good about helping out mom or dad and contributing to the family. It may take a little longer to get the meal to the table, but in the end you are teaching your kids teamwork and giving them a valuable skill. If your children know how to make tasty, homemade meals, they won’t have to rely so much on prepacked junk food and fast food when they get older.
Even preschoolers can help fix lunch by learning to spread jelly on bread, or rinsing off the grapes. Children in elementary school can help measure ingredients for muffins or cookies – learning valuable math and science skills, and kids as young as 12 or 13 can make an omelet or pancakes on the stove. Your children can also develop an interest in healthy food if you let them plan and pack their own school lunches.
To find out more about music lessons at Logan Studios visit them at their open house, from 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 4, or call the studio at 877-5044 or visit them at www.loganstudios.com. If you are interested in hip hop, tap, jazz or ballet lesson, call The World of Dance at 210-7599 or visit the Web site at www.WorldofDanceAlbany.com.
You can contact cdparentpg@aol.com with any questions. Also, feel free to post comments below.
Readers had this to say
Nobody has made any comments about this yet... you could be the first. Comment about this article.
Posted on Tue, September 30th, 2008Written by: J.B. Baker, Editor
email: cdparentpg@aol.com
Yes indeed, times have changed. Gone are the days when kids came home from school, wolfed down a glass of milk and a peanut butter sandwich and headed outdoors to just play.
Parents who look back on those carefree days as some of their most fulfilling, worry about their children not spending enough time fostering their creativity, bemoan the fact that their children spend too much time on the computer, watching TV or playing a video game.
“I do worry that they aren’t using their imaginations,” said Carrie Bowman of Cornith, of her three children ages 11, 7 and 4. “When we were kids, most of our free time was spent doing things that made us think. We’d make up games, draw, play dress-up or read. I can’t tell you how many books I read as a kid—and still wanted to read more. We didn’t have every book made into a movie.”
And while every generation worries that their children won’t have the same experiences they had as children, what parents tend to forget is that they do have the ability to nurture independence and creativity in their children by offering artistic outlets that don’t require a plug. Because kids’ imaginations seem to have no limits, childhood is often thought of as a magical time. Studies show that creative children grow into creative adults who view the world as having endless possibilities.
Here are a few ways parents can inspire children to walk on the adventurous side and exercise their artistic genius.
1. Show off their artistic side
Paint, glue, stickers, paper and markers supply a never-ending venue for your child’s expression. Let them can create a scrapbook of their family, friends or their favorite holiday – photos are relatively inexpensive these days. Or, in October or November, let them create your Christmas cards or purchase a huge roll of butcher paper and let them make their own wrapping paper.
“I have a big box of art supplies and paper that I leave under the dining room table,” Bowman said. “We don’t buy birthday cards anymore – the kids make them. Before they start they put newspapers down on the table to cut down on the mess, and then they can just do whatever they want.”
2. Music is in the air
Even babies love music – it is a creative skill that is innate and fostering a child’s love for music can begin at a very age.
“Preschool ‘Mommy and Me’ classes allow a child to get used to rhythmic movements, listening and vocalizing, “ said Bill Hall, owner of Logan Studios in Clifton Park. “There are many benefits to music lessons – besides the creative aspect and the discipline it instills, studies show ties to studying music and improved test scores.” As kids get older, music forms an important aspect of their social environment and learning to play an instrument is a skill that can be enjoyed for a person’s entire life, Hall pointed out.
3. All the world is a stage
Live theater taps into a very powerful instinct in children, to explore by pretending. Pretending is important to a child’s emotional development – helping them to understand their own, and other people’s feelings. Acting also allows kids to safely explore different emotions. For your very young children keep a dress-up box available. As they get older, let them create their own plays and shows – the stage may just be your living room or patio. While mom and dad can help with some things, the real fun is letting kids create their own homemade costumes out of things you have around the house and their own imagination. As kids get older, encourage them to audition for roles in their school play, and even local productions. Even if your children do not go on to grace a Broadway stage or earn an Oscar, the self-confidence and team-building skills they learn will last a lifetime.
4. Dance the night away
Dancing is a very creative art form and a great and fun way to get kids exercising.
“Dance is a wonderful way for children to express themselves,” said Barb Pregont, co-owner of The World of Dance in Colonie. “It could be hip hop, ballet, tap or jazz, but learning how to move and control your own body and feeling good about yourself is very important to children. Dance gives you those important skills while letting you have a great time.” At home, turn on the music and let the kids choreograph their own dances. Then pop some popcorn and sit back and enjoy the free entertainment.
5. Turn on the heat
Cooking with your children is a great opportunity to spend time with them. All children feel good about helping out mom or dad and contributing to the family. It may take a little longer to get the meal to the table, but in the end you are teaching your kids teamwork and giving them a valuable skill. If your children know how to make tasty, homemade meals, they won’t have to rely so much on prepacked junk food and fast food when they get older.
Even preschoolers can help fix lunch by learning to spread jelly on bread, or rinsing off the grapes. Children in elementary school can help measure ingredients for muffins or cookies – learning valuable math and science skills, and kids as young as 12 or 13 can make an omelet or pancakes on the stove. Your children can also develop an interest in healthy food if you let them plan and pack their own school lunches.
To find out more about music lessons at Logan Studios visit them at their open house, from 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 4, or call the studio at 877-5044 or visit them at www.loganstudios.com. If you are interested in hip hop, tap, jazz or ballet lesson, call The World of Dance at 210-7599 or visit the Web site at www.WorldofDanceAlbany.com.
You can contact cdparentpg@aol.com with any questions. Also, feel free to post comments below.
Readers had this to say
Nobody has made any comments about this yet... you could be the first. Comment about this article.