Three Things Your Child Needs for a Creative Childhood

Before iPads or computers or even cabbage patch dolls, there were childhoods where imagination reigned. When my son was born I read the toys children generally like best were the ones that unleashed their imagination, like long handkerchiefs knotted at the top. 

I tried this as my son got older and it worked. I gave him three or four long, colored handkerchiefs knotted at the top and told him they were puppets. We started playing with them and pretty soon, he took off skyward into a story of his own making, and it was fun to see. He kept those handkerchiefs for quite a while longer than the shinier toys I bought him, so I guess those experts were right.

My own favorite toy as a child was my rocking horse, which allowed me to ride for as long as I wanted and make up stories in my head. This also reminds me that my cat's favorite toy is a paper bag, and the ones I spent money on don't even come close.

The other thing you can give your kid, if at all possible, is the opportunity to play or sing live music. There's a reason why all those family bands mesmerize us. They promise us the kind of family I think most of us really want -- because who doesn't want a family that can harmonize? 

My son had music at both households - his dad's, and my husband's family, which played bluegrass throughout all our summer visits. His dad was more eclectic and rock-based, but both houses allowed for the kind of music I think every child needs.

The third thing I'd recommend is unstructured, physical, runaround time - and I'd recommend it to any parent wanting to give their child the freedom creativity craves. My son and I played a game called "Free France" where I'd chase him around the room or he'd chase me, and I think he'd agree he could never stop laughing during the entire time we played. 

I know we're all supposed to be rushing around bringing our kids to music lessons and whatnot. Teaching them to read before they can walk. Getting them the latest computer games so they can skip three grades before they're seven. But if we want to flavor their creativity and help them become more layered adults, I stand by these three things:

• Imagination-friendly toys (like handkerchiefs)

• Live music or theater

• Unstructured physical activities

And no, this isn't anybody's "expert" opinion - just one mom who sees an extremely creative young man when looking at her son these days. For more on feeding your child's imagination, I found a few articles you might enjoy.

Top 10 Must Have Open Ended Toys in Our House

7 Reasons Why Music is Important for Kids

Why is Theatre Important for Children?

Importance of Unstructured Outdoor Play

Child photo: Nithi Anand