According to recent scientific research, creativity is an essential and important life skill. Researchers say that, “to prepare young people for work and life in the 21st century, educators (and parents) should cultivate creativity in their kids”. It has also been observed that creative people have better problem-solving skills and are more resilient in difficult situations. Creative people exude an aura of freshness and enthusiasm in their personalities.
Usually people associate creativity, albeit mistakenly, with someone who has artistic capability or an interest in any form of art and craft. However, creativity has a much larger scope. Creativity is involved in various aspects of our daily life- it is a tool that helps turn ideas into action. It is a combinational force that requires constant commitment and passion.
As parents, we want to raise bright children and want to ensure that they develop a good set of intellectual and problem-solving skills. Luckily, all kids are naturally creative and curious, and it is our job to give them the freedom, material, and space to let their creativity blossom to its full potential.
How can we support our kids to be creative individuals? And how can we raise creative children? Read on to know more!
CREATIVITY AND GENETICS
There is mixed opinion on the relationship between creativity and genetics. Some people think that creativity has a strong connection with genetics. Research conducted by the Department of Neurology and Neuroscience at Cornell University, discovered that “the brain of the artistically creative individual has a particular characteristic that may enhance creativity.” While some other experts believe that creativity is a skill more than inborn talent, and parents can help their kids to foster creativity at an early age.
Here are a few effective tips to raise creative kids:
Focus on the Process, Not on the End Result
As responsible parents, it is normal to want to force our kids to be perfect, and tell them repeatedly to focus on the end result of any project. But this parental behaviour does not work well in the long term. By forcing them, we restrict their creativity and imaginative power. The best way to foster creative activity is to allow them to enjoy the process. Enjoying the process and having fun is more important than creating a masterpiece with perfection.
Encourage Questioning and Respond to Your Child’s Curiosity with Patience
Kids are born curious. Their world is always full of new learning and unique experiences. They often have dozens of questions regarding their day to day experiences and observations. I agree, during our practical hectic life schedule, it might get slightly irritating, when your child asks “Why this…? and “Why that…?” a hundred times a day. But this is the time that tests your parental patience.
Be patient and try to answer their questions with a good mood and positivity. Give them a chance to explore their surroundings safely. Encourage them to make their own analysis. This process helps a lot in the long run, forming a good foundation for their creative thinking skills.
Reading
Reading offers amazing benefits for kids, ranging from language learning to cognitive and intellectual development. Reading also helps in raising the creative quotient of kids. According to Greg Norrell, President of Scholastic Classroom, “Reading is the birthright of every child and a door opener to leading successful lives”.
Reading expands the creative thinking skills of your children and exposes them to the latest information. It is a solid intellectual foundation for kids and helps make them creative thinkers in the future. You can try innovative and experimental ways to avail the maximum benefits of reading which include reading loud or acting the story out. This way kids learn a lot and gather experience in expressing themselves in a creative way.
Plan Creative Expeditions
This is my personal favourite method. I am obsessed with planning and executing different and interesting creative expeditions for my girls. It is a scientific fact that engaging your kids in any form of art, craft, DIY or academic projects raises their creative quotient. These activities help a lot in fostering their creative thinking skills and imaginative power. This way, they learn a lot without getting any performance pressure and academic anxiety.
Here, I am sharing some easy tips to plan and execute creative activities for your kids.
- Do proper research and explore various options through web surfing or books.
- Always keep your child’s interest in mind, before finalising any project.
- Discuss the different aspects of the selected project or craft with your kids, before executing.
- Give ample amount of time and opportunity to your kids for sharing their opinions. Be experimental and encourage your children to ask questions and share innovative ways and creative ideas from their side, to make the whole process more enjoyable.
- Collect supplies beforehand for smoothly conducting the project.
- Start with simple activities and later on, you can go through more complex projects. You can keep a monthly or weekly theme too, to make it more organised.
- Encourage your child to document the project for future reference.
- Last but not least, enjoy the process and have fun, do not focus only on the finished project.
Let Them Get Bored and Allow Ample Free Play Time
It might sound a little contradictory to the previous point but believe me, it is also equally important. I know that as parents we are ambitious and have big dreams for our kids, for their brighter future. We over-plan hectic schedules, which leads to most kids becoming exhausted and irritated without getting a chance to spend enough time with themselves. This puts pressure on their mental health and overall development.
So, as a parent it is our responsibility to maintain a balance in their schedules. Always ensure they get plenty of free play time and spend it the way they want.
A recent scientific study shows that “constructive boredom in children is essential to their mental and emotional development”. It encourages kids to explore new options and helps in developing their innate ability to be creative.
Be a Creative Role Model
Last but not least try to be a role model to your kids. Keep yourself engaged in any form of creative expression (like writing, crafting, DIYing or Recyling), and discuss them with your kids. Kids usually pick up on your energy and enjoy being a part of the creative process.
So, these are some tips that help in raising creative kids. What are your thoughts about it? Please share in the comment box below.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF THIS GUEST POST
This is a guest post written by my friend Dr. Surbhi Prapanna – a homeopathic therapist by profession and a writer (blogger and author) by passion. Dr. Surbhi is a mommy of two cute girls, and also has more than 5 years of experience in professional writing. She believes in the concept of real food and green living, and loves to share her parenting journey and areas of expertise on her blog Surbhiprapanna.com.
She moved from India to USA 5 years ago, and is enjoying each moment of life with her husband and kids.
Follow her on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surbhiprapanna/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Parenting.BySurbhi/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RituPrapanna
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*This is not a sponsored post.
**Copyright in content and pictures belongs to nooranandchawla.com and cannot be republished or repurposed without permission from the author. As I am a copyright lawyer by profession, infringement of any kind will invite strict legal action.
Wow. What an amazing article. A must read for all parents. What a wonderful way and take on parenting .
Glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by!
I had a great time Noor while sharing my experience with this post. thanks a lot for this opportunity and hoping readers will like and get benefit from these tips.
It was a pleasure to partake of your extensive knowledge in this field! Thank you for writing such an informative post 🙂
Yes, creativity is not always an in-born trait. If parents want their kids to let their creative juices running then first of all they have to convince their kids that enjoying the process is very important. Creativity is not like science or math where we have to follow a certain process. I don’t think anyone can go wrong with creativity. Creativity should flow naturally without any boundaries.
Very well-said! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Wow it’s good to know that I’m on the right path. Kids are so fidgety these days but I do everything in my power to bore them or make them to anything but get on to the screens.
Yes it’s so important to encourage free play without screen time. Thanks for stopping by!
We’re trying to raise creative kids by challenging their little minds and giving them creative challenges. We always try to engaged in any form of creative expression.
That’s great! Thanks for stopping by!
That’s a very helpful post by surbhi for all parents out there.
It will help to bring creative side of kids.
Yes for sure! Thanks for stopping by!
You are so right. In this time and age, kids need real role models and they definitely look up to their parents. I always inculcate good values in my kids. So important to raise kids who value creativity and nurture it for a lifetime.
Yes absolutely! Thanks for stopping by!
Being parents of two kids, this is one of the most useful article..
Thank you
Keeping kids busy is really a hard task! These tips are really amazing and will help many moms! ❤️
Yes they will for sure
Really needed this. Although my elder one is just 5 but I need to start soon to boost her creativity.
Yes best to start from a young age
Its indeed a wonderful take on parenting. Beautifully penned article. Its a must read for every parent. Bringing out the creative side in kids is must
🙂
Wonderfully written post. Creativity is the soul of humankind and its very important to nurture it in kids.
Yes absolutely
Kids are so restless these days and their attention span so short.I am glad that mothers are restricting their screen time and encouraging their creativity.
🙂
Great content! Super high-quality! Keep it up! 🙂
It’s a must read article for all the parents out here. It’s very important to make kids learn about the process, answering kids curious questions is definitely one the best way to encourage them.
🙂
That’s a helpful post by Surbhi, to encourage our kids and give them the way to be creative in life by doing some activities.
In fact I too encourage my kids to some creative work and my daughter is quite smart in it
That’s great!
What a wonderful post! My son can’t read but he loves his story time and he loves to paint . It is very important these days to keep kids engaged in various activities to keep them away from the screen !
🙂
Creativity can happen for any kid if we the parents and schools allow our kids to grow. I really like the points you have made about helping kids be creative. Our school system may not always help and we parents certainly can!
Yes absolutely!
I too feel the same way, creativity is kindaa essential for all. It keeps you motivated too
Yes it does
How lovely are these tips and it’s so true that we have to focus on the process not the end result.
Yes absolutely
Totally agree with you, as parents it is our responsibility to let our kids grow and fly. Keeping them engaged is very important
Yes absolutely
It’s so necessary to encourage them or their mental growth is hamper. Creativity in general should be encouraged among not just kids but everyone. The world can be such a more beautiful place.
Yes I completely agree with you
Nowadays kids are hardly seen being creative or playing and stuff. They are so attatched to the tech life. But this article would surely be an eye eye opener for the parents.
Yes that’s what I hope!
Encouraging kids to be creative is really important as it helps in their development. Giving gift of imagination and creativity is like giving them a whole new dimension
Yes absolutely
I totally agree with the article that we should focus on process and not force or worry too much about end results.
Yes that’s right
So true, creativity is so important!
I’ve started a new blog about activities, songs and crafts for kids. Go check it out when you can, thanks!
https://misschristinathepreschoolteacher.wordpress.com/
Sure! Thank you for stopping by!
Your illustrations are the sweetest! Thanks for sharing & reminding us to show up, refuel & play!
Thanks for the very informative article
Thank you for stopping by! Glad you liked it!
Thanks for sharing these ideas. I really hate when kids are stuck with the smartphone whole day.
Glad you liked the post. Thank you for stopping by.