Creative Activities-Constructive Use of Time-Asset 17

Creative Activities

The first of the “Constructive Use of Time” assets, creative activities are fostered when parents invest their energy into making sure their children are exposed to music, art, dance and other activities that are creative in nature. As they mature, these children begin to participate in and appreciate these creative activities on their own.

Sound is one experience a child starts to have while still in the womb, therefore playing pleasant and soothing music and singing to your child while pregnant is a great idea. This same music and songs will be particularly important once your baby is born since it will be familiar and soothing for them to experience following their first major life transition. If a child’s environment is rich in a variety of types of music from birth to adulthood, they will naturally learn an appreciation for it and may even be inspired to make music themselves.

Similarly, and a somewhat natural extension from an appreciation for music, comes an appreciation for movement and dance. Dance to the music you play while pregnant. And at every opportunity thereafter, dance with your child and teach them the joys of experiencing their bodies through movement. Children at a very early age, even before they can walk, start to respond physically to the beat of music. Create lots of opportunities for this wonderful experience. Once your child is old enough, support their interest in dance and natural expression through movement. If they show an interest in formal training in the dance style of their choice, do everything you can to support and encourage that interest. Other types of movement-based arts your child may feel attracted to are the martial arts and/or movement meditation forms such as tai chi or chi gong. Your support for these interests would also be important and empowering.

Showing support for a child’s creative efforts, regardless of what they are, is extremely important and most parents do this quite naturally and proudly. This shows up in most household as refrigerators and walls covered with a child’s art, regardless if it’s the scribbling of a toddler or the oil painting for a senior high student. This can be taken a step further if parents support their child’s creations being displayed at school or at the local library. Some parents go so far as to enlist the support of local businesses in sponsoring a child’s art exhibit in their buildings.

Parents and adults, who involve themselves in creative activities and include children whenever possible, greatly contribute to the appreciation of creativity in general. Keeping a variety of art supplies around or creating ongoing projects which children can be part of also departs an important message and community norm that says creative activities are valued as an important part of daily life.

Coming up with other ways to empower children in your life with creative activities is a creative activity in and of itself and a great way to contribute this valuable asset to your community. If you have questions or would like more on this subject, please email me or call me.