10 Books to Encourage Creativity in Your Child
Creativity is allowing an individual’s ideas to come through and to try problem solving and original ideas. All of us are born with natural creativity and it is important for parents and teachers to encourage children to explore this creativity. Allowing children to use their imagination to think of original ideas is an important part of development. As they use their imagination, as caregivers, we should allow them time and opportunity to try these ideas by being creative. Allowing creativity is important for language, literacy, physical, social, and emotional development.
By reading literature to children that show characters being creative you can spark an interest in your own child to explore their creativity. After reading, encourage your child to retell the stories they have heard. You can also ask questions to encourage your child to come up with a creative ending or alternative storyline.
After reading you can further encourage creativity by introducing art materials and allow them to create freely or you can present them with an activity based on the book. As a parent or teacher, it is important to allow freedom and expression when creating an art or craft. You will be amazed at the ideas of children when they are given the opportunity to express themselves.
Here are some amazing books I recommend reading with your children
To encourage creativity in your child.
- “Ish” by Peter H. Reynolds: Ramon loves to draw until his brother makes fun of him. He continues to draw but feels defeated. His little sister loves his art and tells him his vase of flowers looks vase-ish. He begins to see his work in a different way, thanks to his sister.
- “Not a Stick” by Antionette Portis: This books shows that with an imagination, a stick can be just about anything.
- “Beautiful Oops” by Barney Saltzberg: Turn a torn piece of paper, a few drips of paint and more into the most creative projects. What can you make with a mistake or an oops?
- “The Most Magnificent Thing” by Ashley Spires: Sometimes when we try to create things, they do not always work out. What will the girl do? Will she give up or persevere?
- “The Book of Mistakes” by Corinna Luyken: This book is full of mistakes AND NOT Mistakes.
- “Be a Maker” by Katey Howes: What will you make today? The world is full of possibilities, you just need to begin.
- “How Do You Dance?” by Thyra Heder: Dancing is yet another way you can be creative. Read to see all the different ways you can be creative with your body and move your body.
- “If I built a House” by Chris Van Dusen: Jack imagines his dream house. Read to explore his creative home with a robotic kitchen, a racetrack and a bedroom 200 feet high! What kind of house can you create?
- “A Little Spot of Creativity” by Diane Alber: Be creative, think outside of the box. A little spot of Creativity show us different ways we can be creative through reading, storytelling, imagination, and music. How will you use your creativity to make something amazing?
- “Color Blocked” by Ashley Sorenson: This book will have your child interacting with the book to help with the color block. You will have tons of fun reading this book with your child!
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