In the modern digital age, where smartphones and tablets have become commonplace, parents in and around Nigeria, are increasingly turning to these devices as a means to keep their children entertained and occupied.
In recent years, the usage of phones and tablets as babysitters has grown significantly. According to a study conducted by Tel Aviv University the extensive use of smartphones by a toddler’s mother or father could damage their development. While these devices can provide instant entertainment and convenience, they may inadvertently hamper a child’s creative growth.
However, this reliance on technology as convinient as it is, comes with potential drawbacks, as experts say that excessive screen time can hinder a child’s creative development. By prioritizing alternative activities such as indoor and outdoor games, reading stories from books, and encouraging imaginative play, parents can foster their children’s creativity and help shape them into proactive and inventive individuals.
Excessive reliance on phones and tablets can hinder the development of a child’s creativity. Unlike passive consumption of content on screens, engaging in activities such as indoor games, outdoor play, and reading from physical books promotes active imagination and cognitive growth.
- Indoor Games: Encouraging children to engage in board games, puzzles, building blocks, or even role-playing games with siblings or friends fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and collaboration. These activities provide opportunities for children to think critically, strategize, and create their own narratives.
- Outdoor Games: Outdoor play has numerous benefits, ranging from physical exercise to social interaction and creative thinking. By participating in outdoor games, Nigerian children can explore their surroundings, interact with nature, and imagine new scenarios. Activities like playing sports, building forts, or exploring local parks can enhance their problem-solving abilities and fuel their imagination.
- Reading Stories from Books: While digital books and e-readers have gained popularity, traditional printed books play a crucial role in developing a child’s creativity. Reading aloud to children, or encouraging them to read independently, not only improves their language and communication skills but also stimulates their imagination. Physical books allow children to engage with the illustrations, touch the pages, and create mental images that reinforce their imaginative capabilities.
The Importance of Nurturing Creativity:
In a world where technology dominates, it is essential to prioritize creativity and innovation. By limiting screen time and exposing children to diverse activities that promote creative thinking, Nigerian parents can cultivate a generation of individuals who are not just consumers but producers and innovators.
Encouraging children to embrace their creativity helps them develop problem-solving skills, think outside the box, and express themselves in unique ways. These traits are invaluable in an increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving world.
In the midst of Nigeria’s technological boom, it is crucial for parents to strike a balance between incorporating digital devices into their children’s lives and promoting activities that foster creativity. By engaging children in indoor games, outdoor play, and reading from books, parents can encourage their creative streak, enabling them to become proactive and imaginative individuals.
Nigerian children deserve the opportunity to develop their creative potential, exploring their world with curiosity, and shaping it with their unique perspectives. Let us raise a generation of children who embrace technology not just as a tool for entertainment, rather as a tool for creativity and innovation.
