How to improve creativity and innovation in 3-4yr old kids?

Question

I'm looking for games (online or otherwise) or some stories, plays, etc that would improve children's creativity and inculcate innovation in them. I feel that early years are the only time to train the brain for creativity.

thanks!

Answer 1

i would suggest Lego (biggest ones) because from personal experience Ive seen my nephew and niece always play with them trying to put the pieces to gather and also try to help when they're building like ask what do u wanna make then try to do that with your kids other wise puzzles big one so they cant eat it and don't use comp it will ruin mind

this applies to Lego part like snake_hunter469 basically but i wouldn't use the tiny ones the kids can choke and also if they're younger than 3 i would use biggest then after that i guess they should use the next biggest size

Answer 2

There are many good answers already. The blocks, the Lego's, lots of music, books, art supplies that they can use when they want to, lots of recycled items like boxes, paper towel rolls, plastic bottles etc. They need things that they can make into whatever they decide or even make that decision after it is made or built. Playing with all centers in a preschool room encourages creativity. Sing to them in conversation. Make up themes as you sing. Not sure how much sense this makes but it sure works with my preschool class.

Answer 3

you could buy legos and have them build various large 3-D things; they also have these robotic legos where you can build a robot out of legos and program it (with a computer) to do various tasks, it is real simple and the interface makes it easy for children to understand with the help of an adult.  i recently bought one for my 6 year old nephew and he can't put it down. i like it for him because he use to just play stupid games on his ds and now he is problem solving.  the benefit of legos is that they never break and you can just keep adding to them.

Answer 4

Here are some activities that encourage creative play with kids.

- draw, color, paint, scribble

- dance to some music

- playing pretend with dolls, cars, other toys

- having props to pretend to be different careers like a doctor, mail carrier, fire fighter, police officer, etc

- building with blocks, big size legos, tinker toys, etc

- modeling with clay, play-doh

- give them basic musical instruments and let them bang

around and make noise (like pots and pans, jingle bell shakers, toy drum, toy flute, toy trumpet, etc)

- give them lots of different kinds of experience to build their background knowledge (go to museums, zoos, parks, etc)

- read to them (build vocabulary, comprehension, fluency over time)

Answer 5

Just a tip don't do online games. Play interactive games that stimulate all 5 senses.

Answer 6

Violin lessons or piano lessons.  You cannot beat the brain power value in those!

Answer 7

The brain of a child of this age is developing, no need for training at this point. Just give them a lot of different stimulation, different toys to play with. Avoid toys that are fully defined, such as miniature cars or dolls made of plastic looking totally real, these don't leave options to be creative. Choose wooden things, simple dolls made of cloth, give your child opportunity to imagine things. Given them watercolors to paint with, take them to different places, let them play on the grass, play in the sand, with water etc.

You basically train small children by stimulating all their senses visual, hearing, touch etc. Cheers

Answer 8

You are right the early years are the best time to develop creative thinking. The best thing to do is read a lot of books to your children. Ask them how they would end the story or what they would do different. Have them act out the story- including dress the parts. Encourage them to make up their own stories. Keep them away from the TV and computers as long as you can.

Answer 9

Children are born with the natural ability to be innovative, and very very creative; no structured training needed in that department.

Quote; " It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education" (Albert Einstein)..

Just let them go, and explore, all you have to do is provide plenty of basic stuff; like a cardboard box, and some paint.

Observe closely ,and they may teach you a thing or two.

Answer 10

the best thing is to actually keep them away from electronics (tvs) for the most part. Sesame Street is good, but all the "baby Einstein's" just don't work. Kids need to read book, go outside and play with blocks, the old fashioned way. There is not a certain TV show that will magically improve intelligence. Reading and being read to is the best way for kids to learn.