creative children – RootedInAbundance

Whether distance/online schooling, home schooling, or unschooling, a good home library is key to the learning process for any child. Every child can learn on their own with a good book, even if they’re not reading yet!

Findings published in the journal Social Science Research show that raising a child in a home filled with books positively impacts her future academic growth and job attainment.
Scholastic

These books, with beautiful images and lots of easily digestible information, will allow your young learner to grasp the science of nature in a more relatable and meaningful way.

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Nature Books You Should Own

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The Julia Rothman Natural Anatomy Book Set

Curious Kids Nature Guide: Explore the Amazing Outdoors of the Pacific Northwest (Books)

The Wonders of Nature

The Big Book of Bugs

Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum

The Big Book of Blooms

In The Garden

A Kid’s Herb Book: For Children of All Ages For Children of All Ages (Books)

Foraging with Kids: 52 Wild and Free Edibles to Enjoy With Your Children

The Magic and Mystery of Trees

The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grown-Ups

What are your favorite homeschooling or nature books?

Five Ways to Encourage Creative Play In Your Child

Why Is Creativity Important?

Creative play supports cognitive development, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking skills.

Creativity involves cognitive processes that transform one’s understanding of, or relationship to, the world.
The Conversation

Children explore their roles in the world and their impact on the world around them through creative play. It’s important for children to process and understand their world as well as express their emotions through creativity for emotional well-being.

Follow these easy tips to support your child’s development through creative play and building the skill of creativity!

Set Up The Environment

The environment is key in encouraging creative play. It is important to create a “no” free zone that children know they can engage in without criticism or many limits.

If it’s not possible to always have this space set up, you can get a large baby gate to section off an area that you can add toys or art supplies the child can engage with freely. Providing a playroom, if possible, is a great option as well.

Simple Toys and Supplies

Research actually found children engaged more and formed more cognitive connections when using simple, wooden toys rather than electronic “learning” toys.

Keep simple toys that can be used for multiple purposes and imaginative play available at all times.

Schedule Free Time (or Don’t Schedule)

Always make sure there is time in the schedule for your child to engage in play without direction or a goal.

Give Children Space

Simple, give children space to play on their own without direction. However, ignoring children or forcing them to have alone time will only create children to be more “needy.”

A child’s emotional and attachment needs must be met before they are interested in solo and imaginative play.

Role Model

Show your child how to use their imagination! Read some fantasy books together or grab a stick and pretend it’s a wand.

Teach your children it’s ok and even encouraged to engage in creative play and use things in creative ways.

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use the more you have.”
– Maya Angelou

Tag: creative children

The Nature Books You Need In Your Homeschooling Library