I have already blogged about this topic but as I am currently designing and trying out new arts/crafts workshops for children, I thought it might be worthwhile updating it. I will do a few more over the coming months too. Feel free to email me if you have good ideas of your own; want to share anything you currently do with your children; or if they already go to a great arts place then let us all know! It could go on the blog too.
Our children come into the world with remarkable imaginations and an endless capacity to be creative. Can you remember how a chair became a pony, a cardboard box became a den or your ‘microphone’ was really a hairbrush? But creativity isn't just about being able to draw, it’s a thinking process; it’s looking at things in different and imaginative ways; being open-minded and able to ‘lose yourself’ in a task or project for a while. And it’s fun! When children create something, they feel a sense of achievement which in turn improves confidence and belief in their abilities. It encourages them to be active, not passive about life and able to entertain themselves more. The ability to sit quietly and work on something as simple as colouring or writing is very important. Television, computers and fancy toys are fantastic - but not for use all the time!
Creativity is like a muscle that has to be worked, so how can you help your children to ‘exercise’ it?
- How creative are you around them? Perhaps you would like to pick up skills you haven’t used for a while or even learn some new ones. It is good for them to see this as it will encourage their involvement.
- Make an effort to visit art galleries and museums with them, many of which have terrific workshops, ideas and activities for children which are generally free – a bonus! Merseyside has a wealth of museums so there’s no excuse. Try the Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm in Bidston too, great fun and they have activity days (see below for details).
- Have materials at home – paints, pens, paper sketch books etc for them to experiment with. Look in the library or on the internet for information and ideas for projects to do together. Let them be VERY messy and untidy sometimes - you too!
- Find ways to recycle items such as newspapers (great for easy papier mache) kitchen rolls etc. Recycle old cards which they could then turn into little gift boxes, tags or new cards. Salt dough is cheap and easy material too.
- Encourage them to plant seeds and bulbs and watch their pleasure as they grow. You could have a small nature table and maybe a place to display their art work. I always loved the nature table in school and wonder if this is still something that is still popular?
- Encourage them to make decorations, gifts and cards for special occasions. It needn’t cost much at all, especially if you collect leaves, shells, recycle things etc. I know from my own family that these things will be cherished for years to come.
- Try not to judge, criticise or laugh at any work they produce, the effects can last a lifetime. By all means suggest ways they can ‘improve’ things but if they want their elephant to be a green, striped one then why not?
- ‘Silly’ is okay too, in fact the sillier the better! Ask ‘what if’ to encourage them to come up with ideas. There is no ‘right’ way, only a creative one.
Our children’s physical health is obviously very important, but a safe outlet for self expression is proven to be an important factor in our health too. The capacity to be creative in different ways is a benefit which will last a lifetime.
I will be doing 'drop in' craft workshops at the unique Tam O'Shanter Urban Farm in Bidston, on Saturday 11th Feb and full details will be on their website in a week or so. Do drop by for some fun! Other venues on the way soon. Now, go and get creative!
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