How to Foster Creativity at Home
If your child’s idea of working with her hands is manipulating the remote, then it’s time to consider giving your child some creative play time and taking a few easy steps to foster a life long enjoyment of creative and intellectual endeavors.
As a mother of three children, two of whom are twin five-year-olds, we take time almost everyday to do something creative. Creativity doesn’t have to be limited to art-based activities, nor does it have to take a lot of time or effort on your part. In our house, I seize every opportunity I can to encourage my children to put a “creative spin” on literally anything we’re doing. Whether we’re getting dressed, arranging the dinner table, driving to the doctor’s office, making breakfast, or thinking of ways to organize the toy closet, I’m constantly challenging them to be creative in how they live, work, and play. Yes, children can and should work. Side note: If anyone has solved one of life’s most elusive mysteries—how to keep a toy closet organized—please let me know.
Certainly if you have a child who already loves to draw, paint, and create, involve them in the arts. It’s proven that visual art is critical to a child’s development and fosters academic achievement throughout life. However, you don’t have to send your child to a formal art class in order to make creativity an integral part of their life, nor does he or she have to show some early talent in art in order to reap the rewards of exposure to art. We recommend that as parents you make your home a creative, colorful environment where exploration and curiosity is embraced. This is when the “magic” of creativity really happens. You don’t have to consider yourself creative or artistic in order to do this for your child. It’s easy. So lose the electronics and engage in a delightful pastime sure to be perennially popular with the whole family. How often do you find that kind of universal palette pleaser?
