Once children reach late middle childhood, school and homework often are given priority over play. But Michael Cohen, developmental psychologist and managing director of Applied Research Consulting LLC, says that creative play continues to be a core aspect of development well into adolescence. He suggests that parents provide opportunities for children to "make up the world, the play, the game, the rules." Giving kids some unstructured time in their schedules allows them be spontaneous and to develop creative interests.
You can gently guide your child's pursuits by building on her strengths and learning style.
- If your child is drawn to the visual arts
Keep a variety of art supplies readily available. Save common household items—wallpaper remnants, fabric scraps, shirt cardboard, old magazines—for spontaneous projects, such as collages, storybook covers, or homemade photo albums. With supervision, older children can use real tools and enjoy developing skills that include them, in some way, in the adult world. Start a basic tool kit, and add scrap wood, hardware, and old doorknobs for simple carpentry projects. Sculpting clay is a more sophisticated medium than Play-Doh® and will dry into a permanent keepsake. Art museums can be a great source of inspiration, especially when they're designed specifically for children. At The Children's Museum of Manhattan, framed artwork is hung low at a child's eye-level and all of the exhibits are fully interactive.
- If your child enjoys writing and word play
Creative writing is a wonderful tool to help children express themselves. Writing a play to be performed in the garage, putting together a newsletter with friends, designing a comic strip, or keeping a secret diary gives kids complete control over their writing process, empowering them and increasing their confidence. Poetry writing is often introduced into the school curriculum in the third or fourth grade as children begin to grasp the meaning behind symbolic language. Poetry magnets on the fridge are a playful and impromptu way to experiment with language and ideas. Hang your child's favorite poem in a central location for discussion.
- If your child plays at performing
An interest in music, dance, or drama can be enlivened with lessons. Try turning to institutions and individuals in your community. YMCAs, church groups, and universities often offer a wide selection of classes and activities for older children, which provide exploration and interaction with their peers. Help your child choose a class or a teacher, but let him drive the process. Lessons, rehearsal, and practice require discipline but should always be pleasurable. When it comes time to organize a schedule, choose a structure on which you both agree. If you have a basement or garage, your child might transform it into a rehearsal and performance space. Save some old clothes to contribute to a costume wardrobe, help create a dressing room with curtains and mirrors, or volunteer to run the box office.
Scheduling "free time" for creative play is extremely important for older children, who, like their parents, can get stressed out from too much work. In addition, your own involvement in a creative activity, whether it's listening to music, drawing, writing, or reading poetry, will show your child that you value these pastimes, and may further encourage her own explorations.