creative

Feeling creative leads to being creative!  Engaging in creative activities has several benefits including  promoting cognitive development. Studies show that engaging in creative activities enhances problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and flexible thinking in children. Creativity has been linked to improved academic performance across various subjects. (Research).  Other studies have shown that creative activities stimulate neural connections and can contribute to healthy brain development in children.(Research.)

Creative expression can also help children manage stress, process emotions, and build self-esteem. It provides a healthy outlet for feelings and can boost overall mental health. (Research: The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health , American Journal of Public Health, 2010).

Other benefits include: 

Social skills: Collaborative creative projects can improve children’s ability to work in teams, communicate ideas, and appreciate diverse perspectives. (Research).

Cultural awareness: Engaging with various forms of creative expression can increase children’s cultural awareness and appreciation for diversity. (Research: The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth ,National Endowment for the Arts, 2012).

How to explain CREATIVE to children

 “When you feel creative, it means you feel like using your imagination to make something. It might be a song, a picture or something you build. You CREATE something when you are feeling creative. You might do it alone – or with someone else.” 

Time to imagine

 Here, Coco is feeling creative.  Coco is creating something. What do you think Coco will do with this creation (the thing Coco makes) when it is finished?

Relate it to the child

Think of something YOU have created?  Did you have fun?   

This week

   Find a cardboard box – any size – and think of a whole lot of things that you could make with that box.  Have an adult write your list down. If you are feeling really creative, you will come up with lots of ideas!