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Step 1
Provide lots of art supplies for your child. Crayons, paint, clay and other mediums provide ample opportunity for self-expression. If you are concerned about ending up with a mess, cover the table with newspapers and invest in some smocks. There are also washable markers and ones that only draw on special paper that you can take anywhere without worry.
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Step 2
Let the kids play dress-up. You can find dress-up sets in the toy departments of most department stores, but they are not necessary. Kids are often just as happy with some of your old clothes and accessories.
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Step 3
Opt for books instead of movies whenever possible. Even books that are highly illustrated provide more opportunity for kids to use their imaginations than movies.
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Step 4
Invest in some colorful and interesting building toys. Alphabet blocks are good for infants and toddlers. Preschoolers and school-aged children enjoy magnetic building sets and interlocking blocks. As kids get older and develop more abstract reasoning skills, they can move on to gear sets and other complex building toys.
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Step 5
Choose video games and computer programs with care. There are some good ones available that do encourage children to be creative, but you may have to search extensively to find them. Educational toy providers can often point you in the right direction.
Comments
Susanh said
on 5/28/2008 I agree completely. The "old fashioned" toys are so much better for the children. The new stuff makes children like zombies at times....
Thank you for the great tips!
joyful327 said
on 4/14/2008 Excellent tips - dress up and art are so much fun!
CrazyAce said
on 3/21/2008 This never used to be an issue. Kids actually played with real tangible toys. They played with rocks, sticks, bugs, and learned through their activities.
TV and Video games won't do it.
GET A CLUE!