Elizabeth Fraley’s Kinder Ready Guide to Encouraging Self Initiating Play for Children
There is hardly anything as creative and inquisitive as a child’s mind. In this guide by Elizabeth Fraley, we dive into the world of a child’s imagination; how parents can encourage their children to be more creative. If children are given the liberty to play without any structured methodology or technique, parents can witness a rise in their artistic ability.
Let Their Imaginations Run Wild
Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley is a staunch proponent of letting children be children. Restricting children and putting them in a ‘box’ hinders their ability to grow and make meaningful decisions. The imagination of a child is endless; it has the ability to convert the ordinary box of your kitchen appliance into a life-saving space machine. This type of play is not only important for children’s growth but also boosts their curiosity and enhances their cognitive skills. Parents should let their child play freely, without nagging them.
Why is Creativity Important?
Self-initiating plays, as directed by Elizabeth Fraley, ignite creativity. This creativity lies with the child until the end of time; as a teenager, a young adult or a fully grown individual, creativity begets solutions to problems of life. Learning to think outside the box is a life-saving skill; a skill that can only be propelled when children are left to engage in self-initiating plays.
What Can You Do?
Parents, educators or caregivers have a vital responsibility on their shoulders in this regard. To promote self-initiating plays, Elizabeth Fraley has penned down some things parents can do:
In addition to the toys your child likes, also get them open-ended toys like building blocks or art supplies. This will enable them to make things beyond what they are “told”.
Avoid firm schedules or rigid guidelines. This will only hinder your child’s self expression.
Interacting with nature and outdoor play is incredibly important for cognitive and social development. Have them play outside, listening to nature’s sounds, let them run freely in the park!
As their primary caretakers, you’ll often get the urge to intervene or correct them. Doing so will only teach your child to stay inside the ‘box’.
Play dough is so much more than a squishy mould. It is an incredible tool for boosting imagination and cognitive skills.
Allow some time every week for unstructured, self-initiating play
Balancing Screen Time and Self-initiating Play
The educational benefits of technology cannot be understated. Interactive videos, innovative learning methodologies, are all great. However, for a well-rounded experience, screen time should be minimized. Add storytelling, nature, building blocks, in your parental routine, from as early as possible. This will prevent your children from becoming media-consuming beings and develop the skills much needed for them to ace the journey we call life.
Elizabeth Fraley believes that as parents, you must take a step back, let their imagination run wild and boost their creativity and self-expression. Only then can they become innovative and resourceful.
For further details on Kinder Ready's programs, visit their website: https://www.kinderready.com/.
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ElizabethFraleyKinderReady
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