How to Help Your Kid Rock Their Creativity

They say that “the creative adult is the child who survived” (Ursula K. Le Guin, Children’s Book author) – but artistic tendencies do not simply happen. If you want your child to grow into a creative genius, you will have to do your share of work and expose them to the situations that promote imagination and research. Out of ideas? Do not worry: here are some tips on how to rock creativity in your little angel and encourage them to inventively use available resources and craft mini-masterpieces without destroying your patience along the way.

Give them what they need, but not your nerves too

Children are attention seekers by nature, and the only thing they like more than attention is praise. Present your child with their own play space and various means for creative expression, such as coloring books, crayons, building blocks, cardboard, paper and play dough and encourage them to make something on their own. By admiring their handiwork and supporting their endeavors, you will be planting the first seeds of a healthy, pro-active approach to life, diligence and creativity.

Open the door to the world of arts and crafts

Children learn best by copying adults, so make sure your kids are present during home-bound creative projects such as gardening, cooking and basic repairs. For instance, you can invite your child to join the fence painting project in the backyard: show them how to apply paint and let them try it out. Or, suggest making a birdhouse together over the weekend: in addition to teaching your child valuable lessons about caring and compassion for all living beings, you will get a chance to spend some quality family time outdoors.

Balance is the key to creative success

A common problem with kids nowadays lies in the fact that they are exposed to screens from an early age. Limit TV and computer time before the digital addiction gets out of hand: the only way your child will learn the importance of personal effort for success is by introducing strict rules about screen-based entertainment. Also, expose your kid to educational programs and not just anime: shows centered on ‘how it’s made’ topics will ignite curiosity in the child’s mind, and the little tinkerer will soon develop an interest in creating things with their own hands.

Creativity as an extension of logical thinking

Although creativity and critical thinking are often considered as two different aspects of brain function, both are essential in life. If your kid is more of a logical than creative thinker, you will have to find a way to incorporate inventive activities into their playtime in order to propel their imagination. For instance, get them Sudoku games or memory match cards: in case they grow tired of playing, encourage them to make their own new sets.

Unstructured play is an excellent starting point for life

Structured playtime activities are a blessing in disguise for every parent, but unstructured play is even better fun. Allow your child to play independently and pick activities they want to engage in instead of carving their playtime out for them. Life is seldom structured – it is up to humans to organize it as they can best, so do not keep your child in an ivory tower. Let the child decide what they want to do in their playtime: this will promote their independence and teach them to be creative and proactive.

Creativity is a quality we are all born with – it is the environment that can encourage or quench it. This is why your role as a parent in your child’s creative development is so important: your kids will harvest what you sow during their childhood years, so make sure you back their creative experiments and limit only the projects that are truly dangerous for them. After all, that clay smear will wipe out easily – but once you manage to wipe out your child’s imagination, rekindling will be a mighty difficult task.

John Rosemond, psychologist and parenting expert made a status update that really resonates with this creative play and the “classroom of the family.” Creativity is something I also enjoy and inspiring that in my children is important. Inspire creative and unstructured play in a relaxed environment.