Creativity can have lots of benefits. The most successful artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs tend to all have a creative streak.
There are also personal mental health benefits to creating things – whether you’re composing a song, writing a story, making a cake from your own recipe, or building your own crafts, it can often be a great way of relieving stress.
Most kids are very imaginative by nature, but this sense of imagination can be crushed at an early age by not nurturing creative pursuits. Below are just a few tips for nurturing your child’s creativity.
Take an interest in your child’s creativity
If your child draws a picture, writes a story, or builds a Lego structure that they are proud of, try to take an interest in these creations. This can help to instill a sense of reward whenever your child creates something – if you are proud of their work it will encourage them to be proud of it. Not paying any interest in your child’s creations could cause your children to become demotivated by such activities.
Limit activities that discourage creativity
Many modern forms of kids’ entertainment can discourage kids from using their imagination in an interactive way. This includes watching TV and playing video games. As kids get older, they may gravitate more to these forms of entertainment. Try to discourage kids from staring at a screen all day and get them to try more hands-on activities. Of course, there are some games and apps that encourage creativity, which are worth considering too.
Encourage children to think bigger
Seeing the bigger picture can be key to creativity. You can also encourage kids to set creative goals and build their creative skills by motivating them to think big. If your child loves painting, consider introducing them to famous painters. You could even inspire them to take part in local kids’ contests.
Invest in resources to build and develop their creativity-based skills
If your child is starting to show an early talent for a creative skill whether it be writing or photography, consider investing in resources to help them develop these skills. If your child is a budding novelist, give them the reward of writing and publishing their own book by using a service like Studentreasures.com. If your child has an interest in music, consider buying them a musical instrument. If your child has a passion for acting, consider allowing them to join a drama club. There may even be free resources that you can look into online.
Allow children to make choices and solve problems themselves
Making choices and solving problems are two skills that are essential for developing independence. They can also play an important part in creativity – by learning these skills, kids may be more likely to act upon their creative ideas and put them to practical use. If you do everything for your kids, they may never have the impetus to pursue creative interests for themselves. There are times when you do need to make choices and solve problems for your kids, but there are also times when it can be worth stepping back and letting kids figure things out (especially if they show a sense of curiosity). This guide at VeryWellFamily.com offers more tips on encouraging kids to solve problems.
