Craft Lesson 6 - Developing a Child's Creativity

Discussion:

It is important to teach children that imagination is a big part of the learning process. This craft lesson emphasizes that imagination plays an important part in a child’s development and creativity. Life does not have to be boring, even when it seems that life is standing still. In this lesson, we will use picture books by authors, Paul Fleischman and Antoinette Portis to teach children how to expand the use of their imagination for everyday events.

How to Teach It:

The instructor/teacher asks the students if they ever "pretend play." Do they ever pretend to be parents, doctors, superheroes, etc? The teacher explains that this pretend play is using one's imagination. The teacher further elaborates that imagination is actually a process in the works, and it can be a fun thing. For instance, we can see humor or amusement in all facets of life, even when we are simply sitting or standing still. At this point, the teacher introduces the first book, Not a Box by Antoinette Portis. This book is an excellent choice for showing children how to use their mind to entertain themselves. In this picture book, a grown-up asks a little boy why he is standing inside an empty box. Each time the little boy replies that it is not a box, and the related pictures show what the boy is thinking. It is a wonderful book that fully illustrates the power of one’s thoughts. The teacher can then introduce the picture book, Sidewalk Circus. This picture book further expands on the creative use of one’s imagination. The book has no spoken dialog. The pictures simply tell the story as seen by the creator's imagination, a little girl waiting for her bus. The instructor fully explains the use of the little girl's use of imagery, posters, and advertising to create her own circus. At the end, the little girl leaves on the bus, but a little boy takes her place and the "sidewalk circus" continues in his thoughts.

Resource Materials:
Picture books, Sidewalk Circus, by Paul Fleischman, and Not a Box, by Antoinette Portis