Engage Kids in Creative Activities
Children always exude so much energy. It is a good idea to channelize it in a direction that will help them to learn, understand, and improve themselves. Children also possess a questioning mind and a sharp memory. Hence, for them learning need not be a task but an amusing way to explore the world and solve its exciting mysteries. The trick is not to make them memorize but to make them think of learning as an amusing pastime or a thrilling treasure hunt, I learnt some great tips when I was working at a long term care facility for children with learning difficulties.
Being a book-lover, I think children should be given the gift of reading, first and foremost. It opens up endless vistas for them and stimulates their imagination and thinking. They become aware of different characters, behaviors, compulsions, and actions. They begin to appreciate the diversity and richness of our world. They also develop the creative impulse.
Kids should also be introduced to interesting sights and people. And, actual experience can help them remember much better. So, if they visit cities, and villages, zoos and museums, their understanding will only grow deeper.
Children love to ask questions because they have a natural curiosity about the whys and wherefores of things. We should not treat them with impatience and dampen their spirit, but instead try to feed their hunger for knowledge.
Art is a medium through which feelings and ideas can be explored. This is the best way of engaging a child in creative endeavors. Give the kids colors or pencils, building blocks or word games and let them lose themselves in building words or objects, sketching figures, or just filling images with bright colors. Let them tell or write stories or narrate simple experiences.
Kids can be given hypothetical scenarios and asked questions about them. This will motivate them to ponder and weigh situations. Even if they come up with bizarre or impossible explanations, it is alright. Because, it only shows that for children, many things are possible. They will eventually learn to curb their expectations and differentiate between cause and effect, right and wrong. But, for the present, our task should be to let kids expand their minds and hearts and embrace the marvels and possibilities of this world.
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