It’s natural for children to be creative, but they need a supportive environment to keep that spark alight. As a parent, you can help your child to appreciate art and express themselves.
Each of us can be creative, and it’s a skill that can be developed. Innovation and
originality extend beyond galleries and museums. These are qualities that can be
applied throughout our personal and professional lives.
Share the joy of creativity with your family. Learn more about how to help your child
use their imagination.
Benefits of Encouraging Your Child’s Creativity:
1. Build confidence. Fear of failure inhibits the artistic process. Create opportunities for your child to take risks and learn from experience. Show them that it’s okay to be different. Help them to identify and use their personal strengths.
2. Manage stress. Crafts and hobbies are a healthy way for children to process
difficult emotions. They will be less likely to turn to riskier options like overeating
or drugs.
3. Develop cognitive skills. Creativity involves thinking as well as making things.
While they’re finger painting or writing songs, they’re also solving problems and
innovating.
4. Enjoy life. Creative children are likely to experience more happiness and
success. They will know how to entertain themselves, relate to others, and
contribute in the workplace.
Tips for Encouraging Your Child’s Creativity:
1. Offer praise. Children want to use their imagination but might hold back if they
feel like they’re being judged. Stay positive and recognize their efforts, even if
they color outside the lines.
2. Enable unstructured play. Is your child over-scheduled? Leave some free time
in between dance classes and organized sports, so they can explore on their
own. Buy open-ended toys like blocks or let them fool around with empty boxes
and string.
3. Actively engage. Limit TV and computer time. Spend your days doing things
together instead of just sitting and watching. Go outdoors for a hike. Play board
games and talk about your day.
4. Dare to be messy. Children love sticky stuff, so relax the rules during craft time.
If you’re concerned about cleaning bills, designate a special area in the
basement or backyard where spills and smudges are allowed.
5. Provide prompts. Even great artists sometimes need help getting started.
Complete the first few steps of a drawing, and then ask your child to help you.
Ask them questions about what they want to make and why.
6. Seek inspiration. Stay on the lookout for stimulating ideas. Visit art museums
and watch nature documentaries. Carry a journal around, so you and your kids
can jot your thoughts down for later use.
7. Stock up on supplies. Be prepared for when your kids have sudden artistic
urges or complain about being bored. Keep a variety of materials on hand, like
crayons and clay.
8. Pursue passions. Choose activities based on your child’s personal interests. A
soccer fan might want to assemble a collage with images from sports magazines
and their own ticket stubs. A music lover might try building their own
instruments using household objects.
9. Make it social. Invite other family members and friends to join you for
playdates and outings with a creative theme. Help your child upload images of
their favorite works to share with their grandparents or classmates.
10. Teach by example. Your children will be more likely to develop their
creativity if they see you creating something too. Work on your individual projects side by
side and discuss your experiences.
Nurture your child’s creativity and imagination. You will wind up with something more
than cute drawings for your refrigerator door. You will be helping them to think
independently and develop their emotional intelligence.
