When it’s someone’s birthday its common for our daughter to create a card for our close friends and family with her mom’s help.
My daughter might not understand the birthday concept well but she enjoys creating those cards.
As she creates those cards, we try to have her deliver the cards when possible and I can really tell it makes her happy when she sees other people thank her and smile from receiving the cards.
Daily Creative Exercises
Lucy and my daughter are always creating art which gives her some great time with mom, but it also develops so many essential skills.
When Daniela gets bored she is usually seeking a pen, pencil, crayon, and a paper where to express herself and create. On other occasions she is looking for her toys that develop coordination exercises to keep learning.
In this world where kids are put in front of a T.V., iPad, Nintendo DS and allowed to consume content, non-stop, it is even more critical to find that balance of creating vs. consuming.
At our house we don’t have cable or a satellite subscription. Our daughter uses the TV in the living room to watch movies from classics such as the Sound of Music to Disney movies like the Little Mermaid. She also gets a restricted amount of time on the iPad. She likes watching her favorite monkey, Curious George on youtube or looking at videos with dance choreography.
Why creating is more important at an early age
When we create we use different parts of the brain. Plus there is a sense of accomplishment. Creating things gets people into the mood of getting stuff done. The art of consuming puts people in a passive mode. I see so many adults consuming from books thinking a solution will come from just reading them.
One part is absorbing information and then being able to execute. The other thing is thinking a solution will be implemented by itself when reading it in a book.
I want my daughter to be ready to embrace her surroundings but also make that small dent in the universe by creating and expressing herself.
How much importance do you place on creating?
What exercises you run your kids through to help them understand the importance?
This is a wonderful post. When my kiddos were toddlers, they had a small bag that was just theirs. In the bag were crayons, washable markers, pencils, colored pencils, and lots of different sized papers and coloring books. They knew it was “theirs.” This bag only had so much room, so they used the space wisely. My son always had a teenage mutant ninja turtle toy in his and my daughter had a beanie baby by the name of Nip that was loved more than any stuffed animal I know.
No matter where we were, they could instantly be creative with their bag if they chose. I did not care what they drew, as long as they were being active and creating. As a Dad, I found all of it awe-inspiring becasue I could learn how their mind was working, which led to some great conversations. Many great moments.
Today, both my kids are very creative and have extremely open minds. It makes them different in many ways, but I love that difference because they are thinkers and do-ers. And they have fun. What parent doesn’t like to hear the laughter of their children at ANY age?
Everyone should have a little bag to carry becasue it becomes sooo much more.
Dontcha think?
I have become a fan of your ideas. I sort of have my little bag and also a much larger one. I have enough to keep my devices going staying connected some pens and paper to write things up.
Daniela has her little bag of things that keep her entertained when visiting places. You just gave me an idea for a future post. Thanks for sharing your experiences and I have become a big fan of your Daughter’s artwork 🙂