Learning begins for kids as early as they were in the womb. Gradually, they can listen, feel, taste, touch and see things around. Their minds process what is happening in their surroundings and register them as part of the memories.
As they start to walk, this is when the toddler phase begins. At this age, their abilities either social, cognitive or emotional, will develop much further. This is why this early age of your kids’ development is a great age in nurturing their creativity.
Different Learning Approaches for Different Kids
This is something that mommies have to take note, different kids have different ways of learning. These are known as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles.
What are Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic Learning Styles?
By using the right platform, we can optimise a child’s creativity. First of all, mommies have to identify what type of learner your kids are. Either they are visual, auditory or kinesthetic, these are all special in their own ways.
#1. Visual learner
A visual learner learns best using their sight. This can be through reading, writing and the usage of pictures and charts. Compared to other learners, they can memorise what they have read and written much easier.
#2. Auditory learner
Auditory learners’ main characteristic is, they depend more on their hearing’s ability. Just like visual learner whom their dominant sense is sight, auditory learner’s dominant sense is sound. They receive and absorb information well through hearing. This type of learner, they love to learn things using audio such as recorded tapes.
Auditory learner usually loves to talk to themselves and have better communication skills. If your kid loves to pronounce what’s in his/her mind and repeating it to register in his/her memory, he/she is probably an auditory learner.
#3. Kinesthetic learner
Kinesthetic learner, on the other hand, their dominant sense is touch. Kids who are this type of learner prefer learning using tools and activities using their motor skills. They tend to lose focus in learning by theory but get excited when it comes to practical learning.
Kinesthetic learner loves to move around, experimenting and anything practical.
6 Ways To Nurture Your Kid’s Creativity
Now that mommies have identified what type of learners your kids are, it is only right to use their speciality to nurture their creativity right? However, this does not mean that they are supposed to stick to their learning style.
Instead, mommies can teach your kids using any suitable methods as long as it makes the learning process interactive and effective. For example, even though a child is a visual learner, he/she might be able to learn and enjoy other learning styles too.
How about trying these methods in nurturing your child’s creativity?
#1. Healthy environment
The learning environment is very much important for kids. This can affect their mood and learning process. For example, if there is any loud sound nearby, they would not be able to focus and gradually will lose their interest. Especially for auditory learners, any disturbing noise tends to disrupt their learning process.
Not to forget, the learning area must be safe from any harm and spacious enough to do any physical activities.
#2. Enough and interesting learning material
Mommies should provide suitable and enough learning materials such as books, cue cards with pictures, radio and legos. Different materials have different purposes and a variety of them will enhance their creativity more.
#3. Group learning
Some children love learning and exploring by themselves. However, the involvement of other kids in their activities can show and help them on what they cannot see and do. This can be anyone they are comfortable with. For example, their siblings, neighbours or stranger at the playground.
#4. Variety of interactive physical activities
It is only right if there is a variety of learning approaches. Even for visual and auditory learners, they need to move from time to time to keep the learning process at an optimum level.
Mommies should conduct some physical activities which focus on using their fine motor skills such as building a house using a cupboard.
The continual usage of motor skills will make their movement better and ease their fine mobility. This, in turn, will improve their creativity.
#5. Effective communication
Mommies need to communicate well with your kids either in teaching or discussing with them. Sometimes, let them choose what kind of activity they prefer doing.
Explain things well and make yourself look approachable so that they will not hesitate to discuss or ask any question from you. A creative mind is a curious mind. Mommies, quench their curiosities and help them in discovering the world!
#6. Positive encouragement
A good bond between mother and child is essential for a child’s growth. It is important for mommies to teach with love. Show your kids appreciation and encouragement in everything they do. Praise and motivate them to do better.
Give them advises and correct them nicely if they are wrong. Mommies should not scold them but show them the right way of doing things. These positive encouragements will, in turn, boost your kids’ imagination.
It is important to note that all these tips are not only applicable for mommies but for daddies and caretakers as well. Either, you should plan the learning process well and try to apply these approaches to nurturing your kids’ creativity. Let’s optimise their golden age, shall we?