by Amanda Coers

Created on: March 17, 2007   Last Updated: April 25, 2007

A child's imagination is a beautiful clean canvas, ready to be transformed through life experiences into a precious work of art. Ordinary objects in a child's eye become fantastic treasures, butterflies floating in the breeze are mythical heralds announcing the coming of Spring, the dark corners of their rooms during the night convert to gateways into another world. To a child, nothing is impossible.

As parents, our job to encourage their imaginations is relatively easy. The only difficult task is adapting our own mindsets to allow our own imaginations to run free as we foster creativity in our children.

True creativity is not developed through structured projects and activities. Creativity is nurtured and encouraged through every day situations highlighted in a fresh perspective. The trick is to see "what could be."

While you play in the yard with your child, lay on the grass with them and watch the clouds roll by. Point out the various shapes as they begin to form. Ask your child what they see. Dragons begin to billow from the seemingly shapeless sky, fantastic fish swim through the haze and stately kings prance over the horizon.

Look down in the grass. Tell your child a story about the lonely beetle trudging though the blades. Ask them to help you finish the story. Use phrases like, "What do you think happens next?" Smile as they share their ideas and encourage them to continue the story. Use rocks and sticks from the yard to build tiny cities and houses. Seemingly simple objects now become the building blocks of civilizations in your child's hands.

On a rainy day, break out those old magazines and newspapers you've been meaning to throw away and use them to create a collage with your child. Give them a simple theme: their favorite color, things that start with the first letter of their name, or make a collage showcasing what they've seen in their dreams. This allows your child to use their imagination in a cognitive way to create a masterpiece.

Encourage your child to work with clay and paints. Ask them to tell you a story at bedtime. No matter where you go, keep your eyes open and point out strange and unusual sights to your child. Ask them what they think, and reward their creative answers with your undivided attention and approval.

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