Every preschooler has an imagination. Creativity is slightly different in that it isn’t an inborn talent but a skill that requires development.
It is up to educators and parents to foster children’s creativity and imagination and give them a safe space to express themselves without judgment or fear of embarrassment.
At One World International School (OWIS), we want to inspire preschoolers to create by exploring, playing and doing arts and crafts and other guided activities that spur imagination and nurture creativity at school and home.
Importance of Developing Creativity and Imagination in Preschoolers
- Problem-solving: Children learn when they face new challenges, and that often happens during creative play. It’s through trial and error that preschoolers learn to problem-solve.
- Communication: When engaging in pretend play, children must talk to their playmates to keep the story going, which involves patiently taking turns, listening and speaking.
- Critical thinking: Preschoolers learn to make decisions and choose between options through play.
- Self-confidence: A child develops instincts and learns to take risks, which improves self-esteem.
- Fine motor skills: Art and play activities help develop motor skills, hand-eye coordination, grip strength and agility.
Art Projects
Art is a direct reflection of a child’s thoughts and feelings. Drawing, painting and theme-based projects are all ways to encourage preschoolers to create whatever they wish.
Children start experimenting with writing tools almost from infancy. By providing them with age-appropriate and safe writing supplies, you’re giving them the power to create. Focusing on the creation process rather than the final product is key when nurturing creativity and imagination.
Painting requires more supervision, but it is worth the time and effort. Painting promotes sensory development, especially when a preschooler is allowed to use sponges, rollers, fingers and spray paint. If you want to go a step further, feathers, string and toothbrushes are all fun tools with different effects.
Don’t restrict what they can create. You’ll be surprised by what their young minds can come up with.
Storytelling
Imagination and storytelling go hand-in-hand. Give your preschooler a prompt and ask them to invent a story. Other children connect to outside fictional characters that already exist, and that’s okay, too.
In both cases, costumes and props bring a child’s imagination to life and promote creativity.
Some prefer to write down their thoughts and ideas rather than act them out. If they’re quiet and reflective, encourage them to use a daily journal.
A paper and pen can become magical in a child’s hands.
Music
Music and dance are unique expressions of creativity and imagination.
Dancing provides children with a way to learn how to move and control their bodies expressively. It improves self-confidence and has physical benefits, including improved agility, increased muscle strength and heart health.
Make music a family affair. Encourage your preschooler to make up original songs and dances and have everyone join in. Children are also natural mimics and will pick up on songs and sounds from parents, teachers and the radio.
You can introduce volume, echo, pitch and tempo by providing your child with musical instruments and experimenting with sing-a-longs.
Outdoor Adventures
Taking a break from digital-based hobbies benefits everyone’s physical and emotional development.
Just taking a nature walk can spur a child’s imagination. Have your preschooler look for rocks, leaves, sticks and even bugs, and then have them write or draw them.
You may find that your preschooler thrives outdoors. Planting and gardening are hands-on, creative projects that teach children life lessons and spark curiosity.
Experiment
Simple experiments will amaze young children and give them a sense of accomplishment. Start with a project like mixing baking soda and vinegar to make a volcano. Then, let them come up with their own ideas and scientific hypotheses.
Show your preschooler videos showcasing experiments in the areas your child seems interested in.
Or, maybe baking and cooking are more your child’s speed. Playing with recipes and trying different ingredients inspires creativity and imagination.
Cooking and household chores are ways to start allowing a young child to develop some independence.
Fostering Creativity and Imagination at OWIS
Nurturing a preschooler’s imagination and creativity helps them develop cognitive, emotional and social skills that prepare them for future success.
At One World International School, our curriculum aims to inspire the most active imaginations and cultivate creativity in early education. We believe that creative power leads to innovation and new ideas and prepares children for future academic and professional success.
Our International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) for Early Years Education is a holistic approach that emphasises creativity, language development and social-emotional growth, which provides a strong foundation for secondary education and beyond.
Schedule a campus tour today to learn more about our approach to fostering creativity and imagination in preschoolers.
(Photo credit: Photo by Alexander Grey)
