quick clicks

moms today articles

moms today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Creative Babies

Helping Children Learn to
Express Themselves

By Lisa Goldstein

Creativity requires interactivity, says Dr. Karp. According to Birken, you can start by observing your child at play. Notice what interests him. Talk to him about the objects that interest him. Help him play with the objects and manipulate them. Understanding that children explore through their senses is critical. At 8 months of age, offer your child a small piece of fruit. Help him to smell it, and then encourage him to feel the texture. Talk about the color, and then offer him a taste. "Believe it or not, this simple activity is stimulating your young baby and encouraging creative thinking," says Birken.

"It is not necessary to purchase special videos or toys," Birken says. "Simply allow your child the opportunity to explore." When feeding a 6-month-old cereal, don't rush to clean her mouth or worry if she gets her hands in the oatmeal, she says. Allow her to explore this new material and fully engage in the experience.

Expose babies to other children so they can model their creative activities, says Dr. Karp. Toys are great tools, but it's all about using things in a novel way and varying the response. Teach a pattern, and then show them the pattern can shift. "Say 'hi' in a bright voice and wave," says Dr. Karp. "Do this 10 times until the child starts to imitate, and then change it a little. Try to whisper it and wave or say 'hi' with a smile and wave with your eyes covered. That all keeps a young child's attention. They think, 'What's that? Cool! I've never seen that before,' and that gives the idea to play with concepts and experiment crating their own combinations."

Want to see more?

• Play Is Not a Four-Letter Word: Remembering the Importance of Playtime
• Artsy Baby: A Diverse Learning Experience for Children
• Two Much Fun!: Games and Play for 1-Year-Old Twins
• Talk about it!

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.