Adults and Kids Inspire Each Other

Maya Angelou: "You Can't Use Up Creativity"

  “Imagination is everything.  It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” Albert Einstein
  “You can’t use up creativity.  The more you use, the more you have.” Maya Angelou
  Creativity or divergent thinking is thinking about something in a new way. Children do this when they receive a little Lego kit and change the directions slightly or dig into their bins of Legos and engage their brains to create something new and marvelous. Many libraries have free Lego days families can attend.
  When children have the opportunity to do divergent thinking, they break down problems into parts, think in a new way, and develop their brains. Researchers have found these children also have a more positive mood and higher proficiency in language and math.
Let’s Imagine
   Play a few free creativity games. During quiet times help children retrieve information from memory, compare and contrast, and make connections between bits of information.
   If they were going on a trip to a real or imaginary place what would they take? How is playing in the summer different than during the winter, spring, or fall? How is life different for animals?
  Help kids imagine they are little mice exploring your home. Where would they go first?

How Is Life Different for Animals?

What toys might they like to explore? What if the kids were flies on the ceiling for a day? What would they see from that perspective?
  Give children three objects from the kitchen. If they had to give one back, why would they keep the other two? How many things can children do with three old ties or other objects? Can ties become seat belts for an imaginary plane trip? Can they be snakes? What can you make with three paper towel rolls or three boxes?
Creative Building
 Children may create an indoor fort

Use Brightly Colored Materials and Create

with cushions and blankets. Have a picnic with food, flashlights, stuffed animals, and books.
  This next one requires a little more work and planning, but children love to make robots out of plastic and paper recyclables. Under supervision they can connect pieces with duct tape or a glue gun. Children’s Museums often have creative robot corners and are worth a visit.
  When you think children are ready, they can hammer nails in a log you have brought in.  They can make designs with the hammered nails and add some poster paint for a beautiful sculpture.  They can also hammer the nails different heights to make interesting designs and use different colored markers on the nail heads. Then they can pull out the nails with help if they leave about an inch to wiggle in the hammer.
Children may like to create cars, houses, even a whole village from boxes, tape, papers and markers.
Photos: Fran Darling: fdarling fotos
Maya Angelou: York College ISLGP posted to Flickr.com, uploaded to Commons
More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Role Playing Builds Language

Role Play: Creative Learning Fun

Role playing, also known as dramatic play, helps children develop creativity, confidence, and language skills that are so important for learning to read.
  The theatre doesn’t need to be fancy. The stage can be steps, under a table, or some chairs. Then add clothes and hats for costumes and stuffed animals or dolls for more characters.
  If you plan to take your children to a new place, practice first at home by creating a little play. Children have amazing talents and creativity. They love to be silly and have fun.

Act Out Everyday Situations

Acting is Fun
  Some situations you might act out include: riding a bus, opening presents and saying “thank you” at parties, taking turns, going to the doctor or dentist, grocery shopping, banking, riding on an airplane, going to a nursing home or church, getting a hair cut, going on a train, to a play or school concert, sports event, or movie.
  To role play a bus ride set up chairs for the driver and passengers. Then take turns being the driver with stuffed animals as passengers. Put on jackets and hats for costumes. Take along backpacks, snacks, stuffed animals, a schedule, map, and fare. 
  Adults, children, and stuffed animals can talk through what will happen and what rules are needed for safety and courtesy. Practice giving the fare to the driver and practice courtesy by smiling and saying, “Hello.” Children may practice entering and leaving the bus, sitting, and saying “thank you” to the driver when they leave. 
  The courteous driver may use a pretend microphone to announce places around town and greet passengers. After the ride sing "The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round." If possible, go on a real ride and point out landmarks.
Playing at Home
  Adults sometimes forget there is a new world out there every time children go somewhere for the first time. Role playing at home helps them feel more secure, gives them the words they need to express themselves, and helps prevent tears.
  Take a few pictures while role playing or experiencing the real thing and make a little four page book with a sentence and picture on each page. Preschool children can dictate the story while you write a few short sentences with correct capital and lower case printing. They may memorize the words or tell the story using the pictures, often one of the first steps to real reading.

Museum Characters Make Great Role-Play Models

Children’s Museums and Community Theatre classes have many fantastic opportunities to role play. During your next library visit pick up books about first experiences. At home act out some favorite books, videos, or stories. Include stuffed animals that talk with creative voices. 
Photos: Fran Darling: fdarling fotos
More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest