Stimulating your child’s creativity is something that any parent can do - not matter how creatively-inclined you are.
Encouraging creativity is about providing inspiration, and also time and space for creative activities. It involves encouraging play and allowing your child some creative freedom.
According to MIT researcher Mitch Resnick, encouraging creativity in a child is more about creating a fertile environment for creativity to grow, than it is about “teaching” creativity.
Here are 10 simple steps to stimulate your child’s creativity.
#1 Give examples to inspire ideas
Staring at a blank canvas can be frustrating. Give your child a creative boost by showing them creative examples.
This could be completed works of art, craft projects, models, inspiring pieces of writing or photographs.
Encourage them to alter the example or add their own perspective, rather than mimic it, to stimulate deeper creativity.
#2 Provide opportunities for creativity
Make time for creative activities. Turn off the TV and put any electronic devices away. Get out the craft supplies, LEGO bricks or baking ingredients.
Engaging in creativity time together on a regular basis can help build positive habits and lovely memories.
#3 Make a creative space
Create a space dedicated to creative activities.
Turn a children’s desk into a creative space by adding some essential items like a pen pot, a good lamp and baskets for LEGO bricks and spare pom poms.
A height-adjustable desk can be a great multi-functional space - perfect for artwork, building a model or doing homework. A standing desk that has the height range for both children and adults can be a great multi-use investment.
Or simply adapt a corner in your home to make it a more creative space. For example, build a creativity box full of supplies which can be put away. Or dedicate a shelf to art supplies.
#4 Encourage them to ask questions
Many of the most creative discoveries came about because someone started to ask questions.
Encourage your child to ask questions about the world and model this questioning mindset yourself too. Asking why something is the way it is can result in creative thinking.
#5 Spark curiosity
Give your child experiences which will spark their curiosity and creativity.
For example, you might visit museums and galleries, go to the theatre or listen to classical music. Watch old movies together and read poems. Enrol in a creative class together, for example learning how to sew or how to forage for wild foods.
#6 Arts and crafts
Put the unloved kids desk in the corner to good use by using it for arts and crafts projects.
Let your child experiment with different materials. Try paints, crayons and pens, fabrics, yarn, Play-Doh, baking ingredients and LEGO.
Even children who are not fond of traditional arts and crafts can find some crafty activities to enjoy. Building, cooking, designing, writing and even coding are all crafts, as well as the messier, artsier activities.
#7 Play and imagination
Playtime is essential for the development of a child’s imagination. Make sure your child has some time dedicated to play everyday.
Put away the electronics and encourage your child to play imaginative games. Role play can be especially good for boosting creativity.
Also encourage your child to play with other children. The sharing of ideas can spark curiosity and creativity.
#8 Reading
Reading is also important for imagination.
Encourage your child to read widely to discover new interests and genres. Fantasy can be great for imagination because of the world-building and creativity involved.
Reading can be a great activity to do with your child. Get them to ask questions about the book and imagine alternative endings or additional characters. You could even get them to write a sequel or a poem inspired by what they have read.
#9 Getting out into nature
Encourage your child to spend some time outside everyday. The natural world holds lots of inspiration for play, artwork and creative thinking.
Get your child to explore and be curious about the natural world. Outdoor play can often be boundaryless in a way that indoor play isn’t. Motivate your child to run around and climb trees - exercise can be as beneficial for creativity as it is for health.
Hunt outdoors for craft supplies with your child, like sticks, rocks, leaves and even berries for making dyes.
