Creativity is crucial to children’s overall development. It develops their problem-solving skills, concentration and critical thinking skills, improves their self-esteem and helps them understand how things in the world work. All these benefits will follow them into adulthood. Here are a few ways you can help foster creativity in your home.
Create a creative space
It’s important for children to have a dedicated space where they can create. Setting up a corner with a desk and a cart or cabinet full of art supplies is a great option. It gives them the power to decide what to create and freedom to explore. Give them paints, clay, stencils, markers, butcher paper, colored paper, scissors, glue, glitter, Popsicle sticks, yarn and stickers and let them run wild. My kids absolutely love playing with old boxes. The bigger the box the better!
Let them get messy
It’s easy for parents to get overwhelmed by messy projects that are still a work in progress after days. My husband winces when he sees the paint or slime coming out of the craft closet. Having a dedicated creative space will help with this. The kids can keep their projects in one area, so you don’t have to worry about cleaning it up as soon as they’re done. Remember, making a mess is part of the process. If you really don’t like the mess, give them some boundaries. They can only use paint at a certain table with a parent’s guidance and a paint smock on. But do your best to allow for a little creative chaos.
Expose your kids to the arts
Help your children foster an appreciation for the arts. You can do this by exposing your kids to the arts in many forms. Take the family to local theater performances, art museums, sculpture walks, concerts, art shows, orchestras and dance recitals. They might find a new interest and decide to try out a new activity. At the very least, they will have gained a new appreciation for creative expression in many forms.
Offer toys that spark creativity
Open-ended toys can be used in many different ways. Wooden toys, blocks and Legos are all great options. I’m a big fan of Melissa and Doug wooden toys, because they require children to manipulate the toy to play with it as opposed to electronic toys that entertain the child at the touch of a button without requiring any imagination.
Lead with their interests
Let your children’s interests lead and become their creative outlet. For example, my oldest daughter has discovered she loves baking. I do my best to provide her with all the baking supplies and books I can to let her follow her passion. My youngest really enjoys building things, so we have all the blocks, Legos and Magna-Tiles to help her build whatever she wants. If you have a child who really loves sports, have him create a new game. If you have a child who likes to write, ask him to write and act out a play. For children interested in fashion, encourage them to design their next Halloween costume. The possibilities are endless.
Let them be bored
I hear the dreaded words “I’m bored” often. Contrary to what your kids might think, boredom is not a bad thing. Boredom leaves room for the imagination to grow. It gives your children time and space to be creative, build and imagine. Next time your children ask to use their iPad because they’re bored, say no and watch as they entertain themselves. My kids always play best together when they are free to be bored. I love watching their imaginations run wild.
Seek out mentors
I have never felt like I was a creative person, other than in my love of writing. When it comes to visual arts, my sister got all the genes. I fully recognize that I’m lacking in some creative areas, so my sister has become an artistic mentor for my children. She is great at helping guide them through their creative interests and helps inspire them to be innovative. She thinks of activities for my kids to do that I never would have thought of. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a music teacher for lessons, a local artist for a private session or an artistically inclined family member or friend to help mentor your children.
Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives with her husband, Cale, and daughters, Atley, 9, and Ensley, 3, in St. Joseph.