Page 127 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2022

Every home needs spaces where a child can learn and play giving them a solid start in life. For a long time, we have understood that reading is one of the strongest indicators for long term success. Reading may be the single most important activity in a young child’s life. A place for reading is essential in a healthy home. Reading begins as a parent/child activity and can grow into a lifetime love affair with books. A quiet space with comfortable furniture for two, good lighting, and a bookshelf are all you need. Fill the shelves with books,
not plastic toys. Favorite books with worn pages will remain keepsakes long after plastic toys are gone.
Spaces for pretend play are equally important. Nurture
your child’s imagination through pretend and performance activities. A cabinet, storage box, or trunk becomes a magical trove of possibilities when filled with costumes, simple musical instruments, and items from a closet you have cleaned out. Upcycle old curtains, clothes, household gadgets, and even kitchen utensils. Suggest your child create a play or a “show.” Maybe it’s a puppet show, a talent extravaganza, or a circus that will unleash personality traits you did not even know were there. Invite their friends to participate, don’t be afraid
to let them move the furniture around, and then be prepared to be amazed. Just don’t be surprised when the time comes for a performance if you are charged admission!
Encourage artistic activities of all sorts. Drawing and coloring seem obvious ways to support creative expression but take the next step and create an art gallery to showcase your child’s art. Consider hanging a bulletin board or magnetic board in a conspicuous place in your home and host an art opening one evening allowing your child to explain their art and what they were feeling when they created their pieces. Art is a natural way for children to express themselves. It reflects your child’s innermost thoughts and feelings. Sharing those feelings in a safe space contributes to a healthy self-esteem.
Creative children become independent, innovative adults. And the world needs more innovative problem solvers with critical thinking skills and social and emotional intelligence. As parents, we need to teach and enhance those abilities in our children as early as possible. We need to provide a home environment where they can experience creative play and we need to let them get bored from time to time.
Holly Harrison has been a licensed interior designer for over 35 years. Shannon Stage has spent nearly 20 years in the giftware industry. Together they own Sassy Bird Interiors in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net April 2022 | 127