How To Foster Your Child’s Imagination

mind wander. Give your children time, space and some simple tools, like paper and colored pencils, to start their creative juices flowing.

Free time allows kids to come up with imaginative ideas and find creative solutions to problems. It encourages qualities such as independent thinking, self-reliance and perseverance — the drive to keep trying if something doesn’t work the first time. So when you’re looking ahead at the weekly calendar, be sure to leave some blocks of time empty.

Not sure if your child is over-scheduled? The American Academy of Family Physicians lists these common warning signs:

• Your child is constantly tired.
• Your child is often grumpy.
• Your child has developed physical problems like headaches or belly aches.
• Your child has difficulty sleeping.
• Your child shies away from social contacts and would rather stay home.
• Your child no longer enjoys or wants to do activities that used to be his or her favorites.

More information

The American Academy of Family Physicians has more advice to create the right balance of activity and down time for kids.