How To Help Your Child to be Creative
How can you nurture creativity in your child? Here are some tips from Storyberries on how to teach your child to be creative, and use the power of their imagination.
How to encourage a child to tap into their creativity, and to think imaginatively about their world.
We find creativity in everything around us. Everything we use was created by someone who expanded their minds to do something useful. We find it in art, in original ways of doing things, new paradigms, problem resolution… everywhere! Creativity is the use of imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.
Why is it good to encourage creativity?
Encouraging this ability in children is really important to improve general development, especially if you want your kids to be independent, active thinkers who can process difficulties. Children develop many of the skills that will shape their future in their first six years of life. Among these is the skill of creating.
How do kids become more creative?
Although all children are naturally creative, there are ways to encourage them even further. A creative mindset helps them to find original solutions to everyday problems and to get to really know themselves, in turn helping them be more adaptable to new situations and to be happier. Children who are encouraged to be creative often show a better attitude to novel situations and feel less frustrated by change. Follow these simple suggestions to help them tap into their creativity, and to think creatively about their world.
Create an inspirational spot
Use a whiteboard or a dedicated place in the home (maybe even an indoor or outdoor wall) where they can use paints and other art materials to play and free their imagination. This can be a special space to free themselves.
Respect playtime
Try not to overburden your kids with out-of-class activities – they need time to play and be creative in their own way. Similarly, prioritise activities, chores and free time where they can have the freedom to be imaginative and spontaneous.
Be positive about their ideas
Even though they may be hilarious and sound a little bit crazy, try not to laugh at their ideas, dances, songs or stories… It is important for kids to perceive what they have done or said as valuable. This also means celebrating every time they give interesting or original solutions to a problem.
Kids learn by playing
Allow them to have free, undirected play. If you play with them, let them lead the game.
Introduce them to art
Go to a museum, go sightseeing or visit nature spaces. Visiting a museum or an exhibition can be an adventure for children. Invite them to express their vision for an object or painting. Allow them to explore their world through excursions – how about making a picnic and then heading to the beach or to a park?
Lots of reading!
Create new tales with them: Stories amuse and entertain children, but also enhance their creative capacity and imagination. Change something about the main character or invent a new situation and let them complete it. Make stories from scratch, start with “once upon a time…” and let them continue.
Show real interest in their likes and preferences
Plan activities related to their interests. Kids show from an early age if they are into music, dance, painting, reading etc., so make the most of their talents.
Help them develop critical thinking
Ask them questions, and allow them to do the same. Discuss different topics related to their everyday life.
Set challenges!
Set challenges and goals (and help kids to set their own) in ways that are enjoyable, achievable and hard enough to be stimulating.
Limit time on TV and computer or other devices
Try to make the time in which they use these devices more positive by using games that encourage their imagination and critical thinking.
And the most important thing!
Be a model of creativity yourself! Don’t forget that children believe more in what you do, than in what you say.
Read some additional ways to boost your child’s creativity and imagination at Twinkl.
Some Free Books About Creativity at Storyberries
We All Fit Together
A class of schoolchildren have fun creating a giant picture puzzle to celebrate their diversity and their appreciation of each other.
Manu Mixes Clay and Sunshine
A lovely story about Manu and the special time he spends with his father and grandfather, discovering and sharing their love of pottery.
Bastien’s Apple Salad
Bastien loves being creative by having fun and in the kitchen! Join him as he makes a deliciously messy apple salad for his family!
Article by Luzmery M. Romero Gamboa and Fleur Rodgers
Luzmery works in the area of clinical psychology as a psychotherapist for children, adolescents and families. Since 2016, she has run a Psychological Center in Venezuela called Psicoluz. She offers workshop facilitations to parents, is involved in recreational activities for children, and has been working as a freelancer since 2017 performing online psychotherapy.
Fleur is a meditation teacher in France and uses a compassion and loving-kindness based approach to meditation and slow-minded living. Fleur posts regularly to Instagram @rodgers.fleur . She has two children, is a qualified teacher in adult education and is the founder of Timeouttobreathe.com