Creative learning can encompass a range of activities that will give your little one the skills they need later in life. Here’s how you can encourage it.

As a parent, it’s important to expose your child to a stimulating environment in order for them to develop an intuitive mind. Through free-flowing creative play, toddlers can explore the world in their own way, which is important for learning and development. Developing a love of creativity at a young age will also help your child become a better thinker as they grow older. Here, we talk through the ways in which creative play and learning can be encouraged.

An exciting environment

A stimulating environment is one of the best ways to develop a rich imagination during the early years. Dreams on the Wall creates murals and wallpapers that capture children’s wildest dreams and nurture their creative thinking. From exploring the world to swimming with mermaids and voyaging through space, these murals let your child become the protagonist of their own imagination. Each design comes with a range of free customisation options so that you can create a play space that is completely bespoke.

Reading

Skills such as problem solving and critical thinking can be honed through creative learning. Reading is a fantastic creative activity for improving intellectual and cognitive skills in little ones as it allows them to discover a world outside of their own. For toddlers, stories featuring animals and machines invite movement and sound, while books with flaps or different textures to touch keep hands busy. Books with detailed illustrations or recurring items hidden in the pictures are great for exploring and discussing. Whatever their age, setting aside small doses of reading time on a frequent basis, typically works best for maintaining motivation.

Music, drama and dramatic play

Creative activities, such as drama and miming will help your child to think for themself and build confidence. Learning these skills early on will help your child utilise them in other areas of life as they grow older. Sing nursery rhymes and let your child play with simple or homemade instruments, encourage them to be confident in their playing and talk about the instruments and the sounds they make. Music can also be incorporated into other areas of creative learning. Toddlers love dramatic play and often enjoy games about familiar things they see as part of everyday life. Join them as they run, jump, gallop and skip around the room to music, play dress up and encourage play-acting. Singing, dancing and acting can all be group activities that encourage social development.

Arts and crafts

Getting imaginative with arts and crafts provides a positive outlet to express emotions. Keep a craft box in the nursery or playroom so that your child always has access to creative equipment. This could include crayons, paints, coloured pens and pencils, stamps and coloured paper. Remember, your child will take pride in their work, so even if the image or object is unclear, ask them to tell you about it, rather than asking them what it’s supposed to be.

Dreams on the Wall was created by an INSEAD MBA graduate and a mother of three, looking to design murals that foster a child’s imagination. The brand offers a broad choice of styles to choose from, from subtle prints to the “DREAMS ON THE WALL” collection of personalised murals. This is a place where parents can encourage the fantasies of their children and create a unique space for them.