Kiddie University Capitol Hills has been, for many years, an advocate of “Learning Through Play” approach. The team behind the center believes that play, which is something the children appreciate and enjoy on a daily basis, is actually a tool for learning that will then help with their growth and development. This approach also fosters healthy relationship with adults around them.
The center develops their own creative curriculum which very much involves not just the children but also their teachers and parents. And since a child’s education stretches far beyond the four corners of the classroom, parents are ultimately encourage to create activities that will promote creative learning in an environment where they live and play.
As a parent, what are some activities that you can actually promote outside school? Check some below.
Be a superhero for a day.
Ask your little ones what super powers they want to have. Encourage them to be a hero and spend a whole afternoon role playing. Don’t forget to wear costumes and of course, you can be a superhero for a day too! This will definitely encourage imaginative play.
Have a “Movie Set” afternoon play.
Bring those (cellphone) camera out, create a script, conceptualized episode, and assign your actors. Whether you want to have your own mini drama, variety show, news program, or even a music video, be sure to involve your children in every aspect and give them assignments for this mini project. Yes, you can record it and play during movie nights. This could mean assigning responsibility while actually playing at home.
Travel in the comforts of your own home.
Ask your kiddies to choose a country they want to visit. Search for photos in the internet and ask them to create itineraries as you are about to go to an adventure. List of places to visit, things to see and do, and food to eat. Let them handle everything. Even if the activities are all about kiddie tourist destinations! At the end of the activity, ask them what they learn about the little adventure. Who knows? You might actually visit it someday with the whole family.
Unleash that inner astronomer.
Want to have a fun weekend? Spend the night camping even just outside your home or inside your own room, with a window of course! Set-up tent or even comforters and take that telescope out. View the stars, search for constellations, and ask your children to name the stars that they want. You can even discuss that planets and ask them to imagine life outside earth.
Be messy.
In Asian countries, children as young as 5 months old are encourage to get dirty with paint and with other materials such as starch, flour, etc. These, according to experts will enhance the child’s sense of touch and will encourage creative, imaginative play. Spend an entire day painting or just being messy. Draw figures or whatever it is that you can form and ask your child what it is that they draw. This will encourage them to think creatively as well.
Do you have other activities in mind for creative play? Let us know by posting a comment!