What is creativity? Why is developing your child’s creativity important?

Before we discuss how to create creativity in your child, we need to know what it is and why it is important. Aren’t some of the most respectable fields such as science and math devoid of creativity? No, not at all. Creativity is not limited to the arts. Caroline Sharp of the National Foundation for Educational Research explains that creativity is comprised of several components such as imagination, originality, productivity, problem-solving and the ability to produce something of worth. These are qualities that scientists, engineers and mathematicians would find valuable. Creativity can lead to great success. With that in mind, what are some ways to strengthen your child’s creativity?

Make your home a creative environment

The possibilities here are truly endless. Parents are always looking for activities that promote creativity. Developing your child’s creativity starts by simply giving them a chance to express themselves. Sociologist Christine Carter suggests creating a space in the house where your kids can be messy and engage in unstructured play. Where are you going to allow them to paint? Where can they play dress up? Where are you going to keep the Legos? (After all, no one wants to step on those!) Creativity can be a little messy, but the benefits of creativity will be worth the mess.

How to create creativity in your child through unstructured play

What kind of resources will you need for unstructured play? Art supplies and building materials are always a good place to start, but don’t overlook some of the materials you already have at home. What can be built from rubber bands or printer paper? Do you have old clothes that could be used for a game of dress up? If your children are old enough, can you encourage them to substitute ingredients in recipes as you cook together to see what will happen? Developing your child’s creativity does not have to cost a fortune.

Unstructured play is important, but too much of it without your intervention can become routine. If you are looking for activities that promote creativity, consider creating problems for your children to solve as they play. Can they upgrade the house they built out of Legos? Can they make their rubber band ball bounce higher by changing the way they made it? Can they create music using only household objects? Creating challenges will help your child think outside the box and increase her problem-solving skills.

Teach your children that failure is natural

Little eight-year-old Megan is a bright young girl who doesn’t always reach her creative potential. Why is her creativity stifled? It is stifled because she doesn’t try new things. Why doesn’t she try new things? She is so afraid she will fail. With Megan, everything has to be perfect, or it is not worth doing. Maybe your child is a lot like Megan. Maybe you are a lot like Megan. Unfortunately, a fear of failure can inhibit creativity. Jim Taylor explains what happens when children fear failure in a blog post on Psychology Today. Children will try to avoid failure by not taking part in an activity in which they may fail or by not putting forth their best effort. However, Taylor explains that failure is valuable because it teaches problem-solving skills, determination and patience. Creativity requires risks to make something new. Remind your child that some of the greatest creative successes have come after some of the greatest failures. They might be encouraged to know that when Walt  Disney was 22 years old, he was fired from a newspaper company for “not being creative enough.” Developing your child’s creativity depends upon a healthy view of failure.

Another step you can take towards nurturing a child’s creativity

Working towards developing your child’s creativity at home is critical. You are the one who spends the most time with them every day. One of the ways to strengthen your child’s creativity is to find a school where your efforts are supplemented by staff when you are away from your child. This Reno preschool will come alongside you in this effort by offering appropriate activities that promote creativity. These activities are structured to maximize creative potential. Instead of emphasizing the product of a creative endeavor, children are taught to enjoy the process. If finding a preschool that works on developing your child’s creativity is essential to you, consider contacting Noah’s Ark Child Care Center today.

When we talk about children and creativity, some minds go straight to artistic creativity and the age-old finger painting fun. Creativity has a larger impact on a child’s development than finger painting alone. Creativity also refers to imagination and original ideas, which are the tenets of innovation and problem solving.

Why Creativity is Important

At its basic root, the term creativity describes the human ability for one to express herself or think about things in a different way. A good sense of self-expression in a child can lead to a more communicative adult who has a stronger sense of self.

Creative thinking leads to better problem solvers. Your child’s creativity can lead her to being the doctor who finds a cure for cancer or fighting hunger. As parents and caretakers, we can equip our children with the tools to handle any problems they may face in the future by developing their creativity.

Creativity Time During Free Play

A child’s creativity muscle gets a lot of exercise during unstructured free play time. Since there is no requirement for exactly what a child should be doing, she can let her mind explore the limitless possibilities! If you are looking to help your child build her creativity, carve out some time for supervised free play time.

Creativity During Art Time

Art projects can be a perfect opportunity for children to develop creativity and self-expression. One of the roadblocks in developing a child’s creativity is placing an expectation on the end product. A child could be disheartened when she realizes her masterpiece looks nothing like what it is “supposed” to look like. Taking out the “supposed to” aspect of art projects makes a significant impact on fostering a child’s creativity.

Instead of making sure all of the children have instruction to attempt to repeat an image they see, focus on the process instead of the product. As long as the children are utilizing the different tools and materials in a safe manner, let their brains run wild to build their creativity without fear of judgment.

Encouraging Your Child’s Creativity

Many parents have experienced that awkward moment when a child brings home an art project that looks unrecognizable. Take those opportunities to learn about your child’s inventions free of judgment! Discussing a child’s art work with them is an excellent way to begin discussion of the day’s activities.

We suggest that a parent not ask, “What’s that?” because to a child very often they were not drawing a particular thing. Instead, perhaps ask your child to tell you about the picture she brought home, which will often encourage them to talk about their creation.

Creativity at Noah’s Ark Child Center

At Noah’s Ark Child Center in Reno, creativity is an integral part of our curriculum. We foster your child’s creativity through activities like dance, music, block building, dramatic play, mud play to challenge your child’s imagination and ability.

Our childcare professionals at Noah’s Ark Child Center strive to create a safe environment that supports creativity and self-expression of all the children.

Stop by for a tour and visit Noah’s Ark Child Center in Reno today!