Childhood creativity in an ‘uncreative’ family

I’ve never thought of myself as creative – as a grown up I’ve done card and jewellery making. My strength is an eye for colour and placement rather than innovation.

Having N, I try to encourage creativity. I want to see him enjoying his childhood creativity, and to continue for as long as possible.  His imagination is brilliant. Although he’s still not that interested in traditional arts and crafts, he makes up songs and stories.

N loves playdoh.  Initially he wanted me to make sausages, so he could practice his knife skills, but now he’s more adventurous and making his own creations without my help.

Now we get biscuits and lots of other foods made, then served on real plates. Really he’s generally just obsessed with food, so it’s bound to be part of play.

We’ve also had colour layering for sandwiches.  Usually if colours get mixed, they get seriously mixed (murky brown), but N was very careful to still keep the ‘cheese’ separate.

While playdoh is annoying in so many ways for parents – the smell, the little bits ending up all over the floor and seats, the hideous mixed colours – it’s a great material for creative play:

1. Independent thinking (and doing)

Once he’s engrossed, N’s much more willing to discover his own way of doing things rather than relying on an adult to tell him how to play.

2. Improved verbal skills

N always commentates as he plays. N asks questions, and more conversation makes a better vocabulary and understanding.

3. Improved fine motor skills

N’s knife skills mostly come from playdoh play; the increased dexterity and practice with small tools helps in readiness for learning to write.

N always seems happiest when he’s making stories around his play, whether with or without toys.

This is my entry into the #ToyellaChristmas Blogger Competition