Raising Creative Kids

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“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!”

- Dr. Seuss

Imagination is a gateway to creativity. It’s the place where thinking outside the box, problem solving, and creating new ideas are sparked. Creativity opens the doors to new possibilities, discoveries, curiosity, and a love of learning. Sometimes, parents mistakenly box up creativity to a skill set just for artistic kids. But that’s completely untrue. Creativity encompasses the ability to discover new and original ideas, connections, and solutions to problems.1 It is innately built into all people to be creative, yes– even if your child, at home, who isn’t too keen on arts & crafts. In this post, we’re going to talk about why this skill is so important in child development and how you can help nurture creativity with your kids.

Importance of Creativity in Child Development

Fostering creativity in children is one of the key proponents in growing a child’s social emotional skills, critical thinking skills, and intellect. Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” I think the reason behind this statement is that imagination is a basis for knowing and understanding the world around you. With imagination comes endless possibilities and growth. There is no end point when it comes to imagination because in its very nature, it is meant to be continuous. 

Think about all the possibilities for your child, if they tap into their creativity skills. Some of the greatest philosophers, inventors, composers, and innovators in the history of mankind were those who utilized imagination. These are people who perhaps reached their highest intellectual potential and perhaps a lot of that has to do with the skills you develop from creativity. Experimentation, curiosity to try new ways of doing things and thinking about things, and creative problem solving are skills that allow for increased opportunities of growth and self-discovery. 

The Whole Child from PBS explains creativity as the freest form of self-expression. There is nothing more satisfying and fulfilling for children than to be able to express themselves openly and without judgment. The ability to be creative, to create something from personal feelings and experiences, can reflect and nurture children's emotional health.2

So then, how do we go about raising our kids to be creative and reach their highest potential? As parents, our job is to create an open space for our children to freely express themselves and facilitate an atmosphere for them to create and imagine. The rest is all up to them to let their creative wings take flight! 

If you’re in need of some guidance, we have some suggestions for nurturing creativity at home:

Nurturing Creativity at Home

Let them “fail forward”

Michael Jordan famously once said, "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." 

Children who are not afraid to risk failing or more likely to think creatively. People are prone to mistakes and the first lesson we can learn from them is to go back and think about what needs to be changed in order to change the outcome. Children need to practice this growth mindset that sets them up for success instead of defeat.

Parents, step back

It’s important to give your child space for autonomy. Remember, creativity is about self-expression. Children need time and space set aside to engage in risk taking creativity. If they are under constant watch or have a parent breathing down their backs it only stunts their creative juices and willingness to try new things. Allow them unstructured time to do whatever tinkering, writing, dancing, building, practicing, playing or what not without interruptions or questioning. 

Encourage time outdoors

Nature is the perfect backdrop for exploration and discovery. It may seem hard to peel kids away from their screens or the comforts of the couch, but a trip to the nearest park, beach or even the backyard can help inspire your child in ways that would not happen indoors at home. Simple things like collecting sea shells, climbing a tree or just rolling around the grass open the doors for curiosity, questions, thinking and problem solving. Playing games or creating a challenge of some sort like a scavenger hunt sparks problem solving and collaborative thinking. Here are some ideas for fun activities to do outdoors with your kids.

Limit screen time

While being outdoors is a great way to foster discovery, screen time can sometimes be an inhibitor to one’s imagination. Instead of allowing your child to spend hours of passive learning through a tablet, computer or TV, give them opportunities to engage in learning by tapping into their other senses. Explore having fun through the 5 senses and give your child opportunities to use their bodies to experience learning in a new way. For ways to manage your child’s screen time, check out this post.

Allow for messiness

This may go against many parents and their preference for things to be tidy at home, but messiness can be a good thing! Creative expression isn’t about following rigid rules-–it’s about freedom to explore, discover, and create. The process of creativity is sometimes messy, but just think of it as a temporary inconvenience that is allowing space for your child to learn new skills. Parents can also set parameters for “creative messes” at home, such as limiting activities to the backyard or in a specific room of the house or covering up the table before starting a messy art project. 

In the words of Albert Einstein, “Creativity is just intelligence having fun”. As you nurture the space for your child to develop their creativity skills we hope you remember to also have fun in the process!

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1 Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/creativity

2 The Whole Child https://www.pbs.org/wholechild/providers/play.html