Children have an almost non- stop desire to be creative. They live in a mental space that is constantly curious, expressive, physical, at play, and engaged. The importance of nurturing this creativity is well documented and has amazing benefits. A child who is exposed to and involved in the performing arts often develops a greater capacity for learning. Through the arts, children are encouraged to depend on themselves creatively, so they learn how to solve problems better, while developing the ability to rely on themselves to bring new ideas into the world. They learn to listen to their own compass; speak from their souls.
This is not to say that all children should become professional performers. It simply means when children participate in the performing arts they become better equipped to look at the world from many different vantage points. The arts also innately provide a spiritual component. When a child engages in performing arts activities they are stripped of pretenses and they speak from the heart.
The following is a list Helene Goldnadel has put together to give you a little nudge in the direction of engaging your child in the performing arts:
Tips to Nurture Your Creative Child:
- Encourage play acting and dress up; this stimulates a child’s imagination.
- Create a special “acting out” area in your home. Build a mini-stage, hang curtains from ceiling hooks, throw some dress-up clothes in a costume chest and voila; instant theatre for your little thespians.
- Encourage your child to compose or make up their own songs and rhymes.
- Put on some beautiful instrumental music; classical or jazz, grab crayons or paints, some craft paper and have your child “draw what they hear”. This allows them to become lost in the music and makeup their own story. Then ask them what they heard. This will help them develop their story telling ability.
- Encourage repetition. Kids love to find a song or something they find funny and do it again and again and again. Embrace this quality.
- Read every day to your children. A comprehensive use of language skills and word play are critical for all children, including the budding artist, and one gets this from reading consistently.
- When reading rhymes, poetry, Dr. Seuss, A.A. Milne, etc. to your child, emphasize the rhythms. Rhyming books, stories, poetry are inherently musical which helps to develop a child’s “ear” for language.
- Our voices are capable of a myriad of sounds. When reading to your children use different vocal qualities and dialects. Don’t worry; it doesn’t have to be perfect! Kid’s just love it when you act out and use different voices for different characters.
- Take your time when you read to your children. When you immerse yourself in a story, they will follow suit.
- Stop at a cliff hanger when reading narrative so they can’t wait to hear the next installment.
Helene Goldnadel surely hope this helps to inspire and encourage you to get your child involved in the performing arts. Helene’s own experience with the arts has enriched her life beyond measure and she believes that is because she started with an appreciation of books, music, and the performing arts at a very young age.