10 Tips On How To Raise A Creative Child?

April 15, 2019

10 Tips On How To Raise A Creative Child?

Creativity might be defined as putting things together in novel ways, or seeing the world, or a given problem, with fresh eyes. While some people are born with talent in certain mediums — an artist’s eye, for instance, or perfect pitch, or a writer’s way with words — I believe that everyone has the capacity to be creative. All of us need access to creativity to solve the problems of daily life, and all of us need creative outlets to live fully.

Allowing your children to follow as little rules as possible will allow them to develop a wider imagination, and become more in-tune with their own creativity and mental capability. In an increasingly competitive world, being skilled in a particular field no longer guarantees a job or success; rather it’s creativity and ingenuity in otherwise regular fields of work that often yields great success.

Individuality in creativity

The best way to foster creativity in children is to allow them to think for themselves. Children who are disciplined while encouraged to think for themselves and make decisions based on their own thoughts and interests tend to become more creative as adults. Freedom and individuality of the mind is integral, not just in developing characteristics, but in helping instil a sense of individuality and uniqueness in the child at an early age.

This sense of individuality will not only help children find their own interests and passions at an earlier age, it will help them respond to life’s challenges and opportunities in their own unique way.

The first and most important step – Back off

There is also the argument that the more pressure a child faces to succeed, the less they will enjoy the activity at hand. Since enjoyment is integral in motivating the child to put forth effort and dedication to the activity, the more pressure they face, the less they will want to perform well in the activity, in turn veering them much off the course.

Rules and discipline are an important aspect of raising children, and should not be neglected, but they also shouldn’t be so diligently enforced by the parents that the child is left with no freethinking capacities at all.

It’s important to remember that you can’t force talent. You can encourage it when you see your child displaying interest, but forcing your child to excel in an area they hardly care about will only result in wasted efforts and money. The best possible course of action is to allow your children to explore their interests at their own pace, and encourage a sense of direction and commitment when they display interest in a specific field.

Some tips to raise a creative child

Creativity isn’t something that can be forced onto children. There are no specific rules or tips to follow to ensure children focus on expanding their imagination and creativity. We can’t give people talent, but we can train the eye and the ear and the mind, and we can help our children gain access to a creative way of seeing. We can also help them gain the concentration, competence, perseverance, and optimism necessary to succeed in creative pursuits.

Make your child a reader

Among its many benefits, reading expands the intellectual horizon of your child, exposing him to new information and experiences that could potentially capture his interest, drive his passion and stimulate the urge to create. It sets up your child to imaginative thinking. Knowledge from reading also provides raw materials for your child to build upon. Reading informs your child about what exists, so he knows how to build on it.
Expose him to literature, music, and the arts

Surrounding your child with creative works from other people will inspire him to produce creative works himself.
Give your child permission to be different

Make it okay for your child to be out of step with the norms of their peer group, to be unique, to see the world through their own glasses. To develop their individuality, they need your support against the pressures of popular culture.
Question everything

You know how kids keep questioning the “Why’s” of everything. As we get older, we tend to stop this and instead follow things as they are without any further questioning. Helping your child preserve this sense of inquiry is crucial to a creative mind-set.
Give plenty of options

Kids need lots of raw materials as input, which their imagination could turn into a piece of creation. Do new things, go to new places. Make sure though that they are not forced into these, as it might backfire. For example, do not force your child to go to an art museum, if you know they will hate it. Make them find learning enjoyable.
Encourage your child’s interest

As long as your child is interested in anything that will not harm them, do not discourage them. Rather be involved in their interest. If you can afford it, consider giving your child things related to his interest that could further fuel his imagination.
Give your child a place to be creative

Creativity may sometimes require a quiet place. You must provide a peaceful place like this for your child where they can safely and peacefully work on their creativity. Just remember that it can get messy anytime so cover up your precious things if you mind them getting spoilt.
Be a role model

Let your child see you as a parent who creates and have fun doing it. Show them your accomplishments but do not brag at any point. Don’t make them feel that winning is the ultimate goal. Let him know that you appreciate thinking freely.
Co-create with your child

Although generally, you would leave your child alone to indulge in his creativity, your child can have more fun creating stuff with you. It is also an opportunity for you to guide him along, but do not force him to conform to your idea of how to do things.
Talk to your child about feelings and emotions

When you talk about feelings and emotions to kids, you are giving them rich raw materials for artistic works. Talk to them about what you feel and ask them their feelings about certain things.