How To Nurture Your Child’s Imagination

All parents would love to see their toddler grow up to embrace life’s unlimited possibilities. To do this, adults need to foster imagination in their little ones. It does not have to cost a lot since you can use much of what you have laying around the house. Even the few items you might purchase are not very expensive. Here are three great ways you can encourage their creativity.

Read To Your Child To Stir Their Imagination
One of the absolute best things you can do for your developing child is read to them. Studies have shown that reading to your toddler increases their level of awareness. Plus, they benefit from the personal attention you are giving solely to them. Put them in your lap, or let them snuggle up next to you, and transport them into a land of make believe. It really does not matter what the story is about, as long as there are lots of large, colorful pictures. Selecting a book with textured pages is a great idea, too.

To really get them thinking, be sure to read in different voices for each character. Use a high-pitched, squeaky voice for a mouse or make purring sounds when a cat is supposed to be speaking. You can even make the sound of blowing wind or a racing car if the story includes that. Sound effects help the story come alive to them. Read also: Sittercity Reviews Provide Details On Sitter Service

You can also make up your own story to go along with the illustrations. Try inserting your child into the story by making your son the knight that saves the day, or your daughter the princess that finds a special flower. This engages their interest. As they get older, let them help you make up the details and tell the story with you.

Encourage Them To Play With Toys That Make Sounds
Okay, not all parents want their toddler banging or clanging away, but the fact remains that children love that. Their ability to be able to produce sounds is exciting. Just like you reading with sounds and unusual voices kept their attention, they are riveted by the noises everything around them makes.

If you want to use what you have on hand, give them a wooden or plastic spoon and a large metal pot or plastic bowl. There are also toy xylophones, guitars, and keyboards available at children’s stores. Then sit back and watch their little face light up when they realize they are making such a joyful noise (to them anyway!). Before long, they will be making up their own tunes.

Make Them Have Fun With Costumes and Props
All children love to dress up. Provide them with a box of old clothes and accessories, and let them do so. This encourages them to become anything they want to be. Let them be creative, and do not worry what they put on. They are just pretending. By the same token, there is nothing wrong if your daughter wants to wear her ballerina tutu to kindergarten or if your son wants to keep his superkid cape on for a trip to the grocery store. Your role is to encourage free thinking children who are unafraid to express themselves.

Building forts out of couch cushions and with sheets and chairs is always fun for a toddler. Even a large appliance box presents endless possibilities to become their next boat, spaceship, or house. Likewise, old paper towel rolls and cereal boxes can magically become swords and shields in the hands of an imaginative child. Props are always great tools for sparking their creativity. Read also: Get Savings With This Sittercity Promo Code

The key is to let your toddler be themselves and have fun in the process. Having the parent join in the process is engaging and teaches them how to use their imagination. They are learning by your examples. Before long, you will both be laughing together.