Benefits of CREATIVE PLAY for children

When we think of helping our children to develop we usually think of academic qualities like reading, writing, maths and concentration. But we really need to add creativity to that list of beneficial qualities. It is with creativity our children not only have fun and explore skills to make arts and crafts, play instrument’s, write songs – but more importantly it is through creative play that children learn skills that will help them tackle everyday life. It will help them solve problems, learn about themselves and learn to live successful, fulfilling and happy lives.

Creative Play has: Intellectual Benefits , Physical Benefits , Emotional Benefits , Social Benefits

So with this in mind CREATIVITY is an asset we need to help all of our children nurture and develop. But I stress to parents with shy children more so….. Interactive Creative Play is essential self esteem building, confident boosting and positive thinking for their own self expression which ultimately will help them adapt to a social world where communication and connection to others will help them live fulfilled and empowered lives which will embed the notion of self respect, respect for others and the ambition to reach their full potential.

Creativity helps children reflect and understand their own feelings and inner thoughts, which ultimately helps them deal with issues and develop with a healthier outlook on their own strengths and abilities.They will try new things, learn new skills and be happy!

Being creatuve nurtures a childs emotional health as they explore personal feelings and experiences in a fun and playful way, without judgement. We as adults love “ME” time – the same is for children. Creative play allows for uniqueness , exploration of special talents and a fun playtime that draws the child away from stresses in their lives into their imagination and happy/safe place.

Creative learning shows children its fun to be spontaneous and impulsive. It allows children to have fun, to be playful without regimentation.Through which they can escape away from the real world.

How to help your child be creative:

Inspire them to be creative by being creative yourself. Perhaps act out scenarios which will explore their feelings and allow them to express themselves in a playful way.

Provide creative environment, provide equipment such as paints, moulding clay, pens, colouring pencils, props, puppets, costumes, toys , mud clay , plastersine, lego, building blocks, cuddly toys, musical instruments etc. Make time for creative play. And make it colourful with stimulus for inspiration and imagination.

Make objects, homemade things, great to find special talents and spending time escaping real life.

Dramatic play & improvisation, acting out scenarios will help children express their true inner feelings.

Creative movement playing games like head shoulders knees and toes , follow the leader and simon says is not only great for co-ordination but it teaches listening skills and interaction if in a big group.

Classes and groups – These are great for interaction as well as exploring their own self expression. These build social skills and emotional skills. A winning suggestion!!

www.themagicsunglasses.com has great interactive workshops for children. It also has a great creative workbook for parents and a great book which will help children imagination and self esteem.

Can we rely on parents and celebrities to be good role models?

We all know that children are at their most vulnerable and impressionable age. While they are learning and experiencing new things they are actively taking in anything and everything around them. A child will copy or imitate any behavior they see as they have no other option than to believe that this is the normal and correct way to act. A child is also blessed with having that innocence to behave in the exact way they feel at the exact time they wish to feel it. This is an act of impulse and not an act that they have necessarily observed.

Obviously in most cases the child's parents are the first form of positive learning. A child will copy a parent eat, drink, cover their mouth when they cough, clean their teeth, say sorry when they do something wrong and clean up when they make a mess. They can also learn valuable lesson from their parents like to get straight up and try again even when you've fallen over, learn to read, potty training, learn to share, learn what is right and learn what is wrong. It would be perfect if every parent was a perfect role model but we know this isn’t the case. We also know that many external factors like school, friends, tv programmes, computer games and the such can ruin all the perfect parents' hard work.

So for these reasons we cannot rely purely on parents alone for ROLE MODEL SECURITY even if they are ‘perfect parents’!

So then we look to people in the public eye. These being celebrities, famous actors, singers, athletes, olympians. Do our children really look to history for their role models nowadays? Unfortunately I think popular culture tends to rule when role models are concerned. But can we rely on real people being good role models. People make mistakes remember!! But maybe this is also ok to teach children…. So we have popular celebrities who do have positive effects without much threat of tabloid negativity. We have Peter Andre a great dad, who is encouraging the nation to help their children to enjoy reading again. We have Gok Wan helping our teens to be confident , have self belief to tackle their anxieties. We have Jamie Oliver encouraging healthy eating for our children. But unfortunately we have other role models causing controversy. With racism on the field with John Terry, Xfactor stars on drugs, Miley Cyrus caught on camera in nightly antics , can we really trust the celebrities? Where as I personally quite like Katie Price aka Jordan and appreciate her business and family focus, is it wise to let your child find a role model in her? Should a child look up to Victoria Beckham she may be a great mum and another business woman, but is promoting that beauty in being stick thin and having unhealthy diets a great way to teach your child to be. Is it wise that a child looks up to Lindsey Lohan in her many roles in children's films including Freaky Friday. When she is actually a misled lady involved in binge drinking and drugs?

Maybe we shouldn’t rely on the celebs? So if we cant rely on celebs or the parents? Surely the only alternatives to ensure a healthy role model is to use historians , who cannot let our children down. Florence Nightingale, Mother Theresa, Otto Schindler, Nelson Mandela , Ann Frank , Ghandi , Issac Newton , Martin Luther King, etc . But is this realistic, we cant pick role models for the children they choose them themselves?

So I put to you my opinion – The only role models we can truly rely upon are creative stimulus, ie characters in books, characters in TV programmes and the such? For example The Magic Sunglasses Project includes great role models. A book that continues into a workshop, then ongoing stories for your child to develop and learn. Auriel Blanche the author, understands children and their need for a positive role model. Her overall ambition is to connect and empower children on a global scale. Within her creative and innovative writing she inspires children to appreciate their self worth and to live happy and emotionally healthy lives. She engages children through her stories to use their imaginations to explore their dreams and to reach with in for their personal powers and specialties. She encourages children to live with respect for others and act with good manners and healthy attitudes. Throughout the book Samantha is always polite and friendly. She is playful and imaginative. She enjoys making her dreams come true and strives to reach her potential. She is a happy child, enthusiastic and charismatic. She is respectful of others and through self discovery learns how to cope with the challenges she faces with optimism and self worth. All of which are attributes that a role model should inspire to give. Samantha gives many good examples that the reader can emulate and learn from and is therefore a great role model. So please if you have a child please introduce them to Samantha. Have a look yourself at The Magic Sunglasses website - http://www.themagicsunglasses.com

Is it important that celebs like Gok Wan, help our troubled teens with self belief?

Many of us have negative opinions of today’s celebrtites. We have concerns for the effects their role model statuses have on our impressionable youths. For this reason , I stress that we be greatful for the fab celebs we do have out there. You now know my love of Mr Peter Andre but another celebrity on my list is the presenter, author and fashion stylist , Gok Wan. He has helped the nation to be brave and bare their all. He is now focusing on the need to help our teens to be confident , to live with self belief and have a healthy self esteem to be encouraged to reach their potentials and live fulfilled , happy lives. Gok Wans new show Goks Teens: The naked truth, gives troubled teens the advice, confidence and self-belief they need to tackle their issues and anxieties. Fantastic in my opinion…. But here’s what the press have to say about it:

‘The programme is an eye-opener for the rest of us – and humbling too, because it highlights exactly what families such as the Watson’s have to contend with.’ Jenny Johnston, Daily Mail (Weekend)

‘Unmissable TV for parents and teens alike.’ Bella

‘In this new series, the modern-day Mr Motivator helps teenagers tackle issues such as body dysmorphia and eating disorders…Bravo, Gok, on another inspiring series! *****’ RM, TV Times Magazine

‘The exploration of various body confidence issues is a thoroughly well-intentioned piece of TV.’ Phil Harrison, Time Out

Gok also asked some other celebrity mates about their teenage years and to share their tips for teens today for his programme , so we can be positive that there are many celebrities out there who would also be good role models for our children. Included in the programme is;Sara cox (broadcaster), Stephanie davis (hollyoaks) Mica Paris (singer) Mann (rapper) Matthew Horne (gavina nd Stacey) Joe Calzaghe (boxer) Jody Cundy (paralympian) Jo Brand (comedian) Jemma Kid (makeup artist) Gorden Ramsey (chef) Fearne Cotton (presenter) Duncan James (singer) Catherine Tate (comedien) Ben Cohen (rugby player) Alesha Dixon (presenter)

So all in favour of Gok Wan say “ai” yes, Teenagers are at a fundamental age, and its fantastic what Gok Wan is doing – using his celebrity status for a great cause. However do you think that these positive affirmations would be much more beneficial if tackled at an earlier age, teenage life is hard enough perhaps if this was dealt with before this age, there will be so much more potential for our teens. So I suggest that we build children’s confidences as toddlers, babies even… perhaps with music/dance/play classes, to socialise and interact with others and explore themselves, their personal enjoyments and talents. Then perhaps at primary age our children could take part in interactive workshops, read stories , join confidence building clubs etc to improve self esteem and self respect. Projects like my favourite The Magic Sunglasses Project could be used. www.themagicsunglasses.com

With this article I leave you with this thought…..

Gok wan is doing a fantastic job, and we should be thankful that there are some celebrities that make perfect role models out there right now…but lets take a little responsibility for empowering our children to live confidently with a self esteem that allows for; self belief , respect for themselves and sensitivity for others and their individualities. Lets tackle these problems before they can become issues… lets help our own babies/toddlers/children before they reach the vulnerable and impressionable teenage years!!!

Can the inspirational Gok Wan help our children without the support of the government?

Multi award winning UK TV presenter and highly acclaimed fashion stylist Gok Wan has “…made his mark by giving women the confidence to appreciate their bodies, whatever their size and encouraged women whatever their shape and size to strip for the nation!” http://www.gokwan.com/about-gok/
Most importantly, through his much loved programme How To Look Good Naked , he has inspired women to battle with low self esteem and to live happy healthy and confident lives. Gok Wan has successfully been the driving force for thousand of women all over the country to change their lives and feel amazing in their own natural bodies. We now have women who were unhappy , depressed , unhealthy, scared with deep emotional issues who now believe that we are all individual, we are all beautiful and we all deserve to feel confident with our natural bodies. For bringing this powerful message to the nation , Gok we salute you!! But now we plead that Gok Wan can be able to share this powerful and crucial message to our children!
Being such an amazing instituation Gok Wan was on this case, on the case to help children discover that they are beautiful, to appreciate their natural beauties. In fact in 2009 Gok Wan launched the campaign to get body confidence classes on the National Curriculum. With a huge achievement of 50,000 signatures it still wasn’t implemented. Thankfully Gok hasn’t given up and is re-launching his campaign. Gok Wan is planning to lobby MPs outside of Parliament to get body confidence taught on the national curriculum as part of the PSHE in all the schools. To date, Michael Gove - who is the new Minister for Education - won't see him! With such a great campaign we really should urge the government to back him. Gok Wan really is an inspiration, he has helped women everywhere , now’s the time to enable him to help our children. I think we can all relate to this Gok Wans statement "What I would say is, if you believe that you have ever looked in the mirror and you have never liked what you're looking at and if you've ever felt that you are not as beautiful as you could be, then back this campaign because everyone is very beautiful.” http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/interviews/a318397/gok-wan-goks-teens-the-naked-truth.html
Gok Wan calls this low self esteem and body conscious attitude in children today as a "body hatred epidemic" When asked who is to blame Gok replies
"I think the problem lies in so many different areas. It's so hard to pinpoint because if we could just find one area, we could probably do something about it. But I think it's a combination of the media - we need to be more positive about it, I think it's about education of families as well, education of schools as well. I think it's in every single direction. Body dysmorphia has been carried down over the years and now it's been passed to the next generation and we need to do something about it." http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/interviews/a318397/gok-wan-goks-teens-the-naked-truth.html
So the government , namely Michael Gove wouldnt listen, so Gok then progressed from the popular How to Look good Naked, to Gok’s Teens:The Naked Truth. Through which 12 teenagers lives are followed. In the words of Gok “ Gok's Teens: The Naked Truth is a three-part series for Channel 4 where I draw on my personal experience to help give teenagers the advice, confidence and self belief they need to tackle their issues and anxieties” http://www.gokwan.com/gok-on-tv/
Not only does Gok Wan spend time empowering women with his TV programmes, lobby Mps , inspire our teens he also has many other things to offer us,a few of which detailed below.
With his fabulous glasses collection in Specsavers, Gok Wan is banishing hiding behind your specs! Helping us spectacle wearers look and feel fantastic with his strong, sexy, glamorous range of glasses. Stating that your ‘outfit starts with your glasses’ this fashion stylist is helping us wear spectacles with confidence. http://www.specsavers.co.uk/gok-wan/
Then there’s Gok Wan Gorgeous Collection in Boots with his luxury bath range, helping women feel confident and able to indulge in making themselves feel and look great. The Boots website describes Goks products as “Flamboyant and sophisticated, the new Gorgeous by Gok range is packed with sassy, seductive products, designed to make every woman look and feel gorgeous.” We really do have a lot to be thankful for Mr Wan. http://www.boots.com/en/Gorgeous-by-Gok_1017072/
Gok Wans fabulous lingerie and shapewear collection, designed for Simply Yours, designed to make women feel sexy and confident without the crazy diet binges and drastic plastic surgery options. “I know how much you care about looking gorgeous and feeling even sexier and that's why I've designed this underwear range for Simply Yours that supports you, holds you in and oozes sex appeal. Finally! Support underwear you can flaunt!” Ok so underwear and lingerie isn’t the answer for children and teens but I’m sure Gok Wan has some great ideas and products in mind to help children use clothes and accessories to feel good so they don’t look to drastic other options like eating disorders etc. http://www.gokwan.com/get-gokked/
Then there’s Gok’s TU at Sainsbury range. Making fashion accessible to everyone. Even if they cannot afford designer clothes. In the mirror Gok Wan was quoted for saying “With these clothes, I want women to flirt, flaunt and celebrate their curves. I've spent the last few months working through every detail and believe we've delivered attainable and affordable design like never before. I want to make you feel confident, stylish and positive about your bodies, whatever your budget, size or shape”
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/07/20/how-40-gok-wan-dress-transformed-mirror-girl-ruki-sayid-s-figure-115875-23282658/ Gok Wan doesnt care for the elitism in the industry but does care about people and by making clothes accessible to everyone is great!

Look out for ‘Wan way of life’ and his pledge to give something back by encouraging a nation to shed their body conscious inhibitions because we must listen and encourage our children to have the same views. http://www.dare2mag.com/interview/2011/gok-wan/ With this amazing man influencing and caring for the UK women , to empower and inspire them with such an amazing success rate, we are mad to not allow him to drive his campaign to allow these powerful messages to be adapted for children !

Making children happy

Children need to be supplied with as many positive and influential affirmations as possible to encourage them to be happy and live bright and meaningful lives, with endless opportunities. They can only be enticed to do so with help from the adults around them. Different forms of positive encouragements have been researched, especially for the cases where children do not necessarily have great role models at home.

Research has shown that children develop best through their own discovery and self-learning. For this reason when a child looses themselves in their imaginations – of course guided by a positive medium like a book , a film, a workshop, an activity – this is their best time for learning.
Through my studies I came across ‘The Magic Sunglasses project’ lead by the children’s author Auriel Blanche. Auriel Blanche successfully taps into many children’s spirits on a global scale, making them visualise desirable outcomes and make positive connections with their inner purpose. She does this through her skill of creative and innovative writing which engages children of all ages. Along with her interactive workshops and programs, The Magic Sunglasses, her acclaimed children’s fun fantasy book is a must read for all children in today’s society. Especially for those who are saddened with a low self esteem and those who seem unhappy. The meaning and purpose of The Magic Sunglasses - is fundamentally to motivate a child by imagination and creativity. Make-believe is important to intellectual development and mental health. It is an integral part of childhood, it is this that will inevitably make them happy.

The main character in the book, namely Samantha, is a character that a child with a lack of confidence can relate to. She too hasn’t fully discovered that she has a special value all her own. Throughout the story she finds a power that the reader will be inspired to find in themselves. The books motivation is to show we all have that special value, which we can use to help us live the lives we really want and to be happy. The magic sunglasses in their physical form mysteriously find their way to Samantha. They have wonderful powers which support her and show her what you can do if you really try! The important notion behind the story is that these possibilities are still achievable when she no longer has the glasses, as she forms her own abilities and the confidence to try. The results this book entails is seen in the readers improvement of personal motivation, their positivity for their own capabilities, their respect for their own special values and the optimisms for their own self worth. The main and key ethos being, helping children to live happy lives.

When a story actually transforms a child's life, bringing joy and happiness to them, you know the story is a winner. This touching, inspirational and heart-warming plot has repeatedly been transformed into optimistic true life stories for many children who have read it. From some of which, Auriel has been inundated with positive testimonials, rewarding reviews and written letters of compliments. Auriel invites children globally to explore their dreams, strive to their potential, to not limit themselves and independently enrich their own lives. With The Magic Sunglasses, they are free from objective restraints with encouragement to explore possibilities. As they read how another child (Samantha) plays and dreams they do the same. They too imagine themselves to be a superstar, singing to the adoring crowds. They too can pretend to be dressing up as a princess or a super hero. They too can imagine being able to eat as many sweets, cookies and ice cream as they like. They can also make play of their own nightmares of witches and goblin, and overcome them with confidence and ambition enthused throughout the book.

A child with this negative attitude will never achieve resolutions without an assisted positive view point. It is important that a child can understand that any problem is temporary and can be resolved if you just try. With these positive qualities a child can be happy and motivated to live life with confidence and enjoyment. When a child sits down with a book, they are in a comfortable environment, in an imaginative place away from the negative aspects of life. This is the most perfect time to inspire upbeat outlooks and encourage the use of optimism.
I find Auriel Blanche to be an extremely influential writer and The Magic Sunglasses should be in every family household. We hope she will be inspiring and empowering children for years to come.

To explore many more interesting projects as well as the other amazing inspirations The Magic Sunglasses holds, all you need to do is click on the link – http://www.themagicsunglasses.com/ Please encourage any children you know to read this book or visit the website. We can then help many other children to trust their own abilities, to respect others, to believe in themselves and create a humble, happy and positive world to live in.
For more information and up and coming events, workshops and book signings – Please go to http://www.themagicsunglasses.com