Creativity
What is it?
According to Develop Intelligence (2017), “Creativity is the ability to see new opportunities, to produce original ideas, to flexibly adapt to changing situations, and to apply one’s imagination to solve complex problems.”
Why is it important?
Creativity has many important implications ranging from innovation to health and happiness. Innovation is fueled by creativity. A problem can be complex and unpredictable, and can only be solved or managed by working through the creative process. In the classroom and the workplace, creativity can increase engagement of students and employees. It is a skill that allows people to adapt to a changing marketplace, work force, and the world. Creativity is vital to the well being of an individual.
Activities to support the development of Creativity at home:
Ways to Foster Creativity in Your Kids
Provide the resources they need for creative expression:
The key resource here is time. Children need time for unstructured, child-directed, imaginative play – uninterrupted by adult direction. Space to do this is also a resource your child(ren) need. Provide a specific place where they can make a mess, like room in the attic for dress-up, a place in the garage for painting, or a corner in the family room for Legos. The next time someone asks for a gift suggestion for your child(ren), ask for things like art supplies, cheap cameras, costume components, and/or building materials.
Make your home a safe place for creativity:
In addition to creative spaces, make a creative atmosphere. Encourage lots of different ideas, but resist the urge to criticize the ideas children come up with. At dinnertime, for example, you could brainstorm activities for the upcoming weekend, pushing the child(ren) to come up with things they've never done before. Don't point out which ideas aren't possible, and don't decide which ideas are best. The focus of creative activities should be on process: generating new ideas.
Make it "ok" for mistakes and failures to occur:
Children who are afraid of failure and judgment will curb their own creative thought. Share the mistakes you've made recently, so they get the idea that it is okay to make an error.
Celebrate innovation and creativity:
Cover your walls with art and other evidence of creative expression. Talk about your favorite artists, musicians, and scientists. Share your passion for architecture, photography, or the new band you have been listening to. Embrace new technologies so children grow to find change exciting, not overwhelming or intimidating.
Encourage children to read and participate in the arts:
Limit TV and other screen time in order to make room for creative activities like rehearsing a play, learning to draw, and reading every book written by a favorite author.
Give children the opportunity to express "divergent thought":
Encourage children to find more than one route to a solution, and more than one solution to a problem. When they successfully solve a problem, ask them to solve it again but to find a new way to do it (same solution, different route). Then ask them to come up with more solutions to the same problem.