| There is nothing more important to childhood | | | | and securely play with one another, whether through |
| development than self-expression. A child must be | | | | sports or other recreational pursuits, is a great way to |
| able to express what he or she wants and how he or | | | | help teach cooperation, relationship skills, and respect |
| she feels with freedom and safety. Children that do | | | | for others. By setting up reasonable boundaries and |
| not grow up in an environment of respect, love, and | | | | rules for playtime, a parent can safely guide their |
| compassion often find difficulty opening up to others | | | | children through the motions of responsible play and |
| as they grow up and often experience many different | | | | activity without interfering with their development. |
| mental and emotional pitfalls. It's no secret that allowing | | | | There are many great board games and interactive |
| your child to express his or her feelings, emotions, | | | | games to play with children that enhance the creative |
| thoughts, and creativity in a safe environment is one of | | | | energy and create positive influences. Parking the child |
| the most beneficial parts to raising a child. | | | | in front of the television is a poor choice for a number |
| Artistic Expression | | | | of reasons, the least of which is that television is a |
| One of the best ways that kids express themselves is | | | | one-way medium and does not encourage any |
| through artistic means. Painting, finger-painting, drawing, | | | | creative or critical thinking on behalf of the child. If |
| sketching, coloring, and writing all have been proven to | | | | television is a must, the parent should watch television |
| provide a solid outlet for many of the strong emotions | | | | with the child so as to provide some sort of platform |
| that children deal with. Many psychologists and | | | | for genuine interaction. |
| therapists find stunning information about a child within | | | | Building Expression |
| the drawings or artwork of that child, making creativity | | | | A final example of a great way to promote |
| one of the most enlightening and though-provoking | | | | self-expression in children is through the building of |
| experiences of a child's life. | | | | objects. Dollhouses, model cars, and other objects that |
| Allowing a child to paint or draw with freedom and | | | | require construction are great ways to promote natural |
| without boundaries is a critical component to childhood | | | | progression and creativity within a certain set of |
| development because it opens the mind and frees the | | | | boundaries. As the child learns to follow the instructions |
| spirit. Within a few moments of coloring or drawing | | | | for putting together the dollhouse or model car, he or |
| seemingly unrelated objects or shapes on a page, a | | | | she becomes aware of the role of instructions and |
| child can form thoughts and ideas that may be | | | | guidelines and is able to employ creative techniques to |
| surprising to the parent. This process is incredibly | | | | produce the end result. |
| important in the development of communication skills, | | | | Creativity through the guidelines of building an object, |
| emotional skills, and psychological awareness. | | | | such as a dollhouse, is an important facet of life for |
| Playful Expression | | | | children to learn, as many of the real-life situations they |
| Another great way to help kids express themselves is | | | | will find themselves in will call upon the skills learned |
| through playful expression. Allowing children to safely | | | | through early childhood development. |