Promoting Creativity in Children
Creativity is important, in both children and adults!
That's right. Those strange doodles, weird Lego structures, and mudpie dinners are actually helping your child grow into the equivalent of a super-hero...
That's right. Those strange doodles, weird Lego structures, and mudpie dinners are actually helping your child grow into the equivalent of a super-hero...
It may not seem like children need any help developing their sense of imagination. They seem to have this amazing ability to find or create entertainment from just about anything.
They also have a talent for unique problem solving. (Whether those "problems" needed to be solved or not!)
When creativity is not accepted and encouraged in children though, they become less willing to express themselves. As children grow they may be urged toward technical solutions to problems, rather than creative solutions. As a result, they may be inflexible as adults when a situation occurs that needs a more complex solution.
Why is Creativity Important?
Without creativity and the creative thought process, humankind would still be stuck in Ancient History.
It was only through ideas that people were able to imagine and invent a series of items, customs, laws and concepts that led us to where we are today (for better or worse!).
No doubt, the first man who suggested the wheel or painting on cave walls was scoffed at by others.
Today, creative people often meet with the same attitude. Time spent not working on something "important" is wasted time.
Especially if your idea or invention wasn't successful. You just wasted precious time. This is why creatives are often expected to work for free--which is a bit of a no-no.
Fortunately, it didn't take other humans long to realize the value of being able to think about what was needed, and then create a solution.
Today, creative thinking is still supported, which is what guarantees that we will continue to evolve and grow.
Since new ideas are created every second, what we know today may become obsolete tomorrow. Brilliant ideas soon become old news as they are adapted into mainstream use.
Then someone will come along and think of a new way to re-use that old idea, and once again, a brilliant concept is born.
By nurturing creativity in children, we are guaranteeing that they will continue to learn throughout their life, not just until the last textbook is closed. They will continue to be able to creatively find new uses and solutions for common items and problems.
Creativity serves more than just social or survival purposes. Children that are encouraged to express themselves develop a healthy self-image. They learn the confidence to share their ideas or creations with others.
This acceptance encourages them to continue to seek and learn. Not only does that mean their brains will stay robust from exercise late into their life, it means that every generation will have people with the capacity to make the world a better place.
It was only through ideas that people were able to imagine and invent a series of items, customs, laws and concepts that led us to where we are today (for better or worse!).
No doubt, the first man who suggested the wheel or painting on cave walls was scoffed at by others.
Today, creative people often meet with the same attitude. Time spent not working on something "important" is wasted time.
Especially if your idea or invention wasn't successful. You just wasted precious time. This is why creatives are often expected to work for free--which is a bit of a no-no.
Fortunately, it didn't take other humans long to realize the value of being able to think about what was needed, and then create a solution.
Today, creative thinking is still supported, which is what guarantees that we will continue to evolve and grow.
Since new ideas are created every second, what we know today may become obsolete tomorrow. Brilliant ideas soon become old news as they are adapted into mainstream use.
Then someone will come along and think of a new way to re-use that old idea, and once again, a brilliant concept is born.
By nurturing creativity in children, we are guaranteeing that they will continue to learn throughout their life, not just until the last textbook is closed. They will continue to be able to creatively find new uses and solutions for common items and problems.
Creativity serves more than just social or survival purposes. Children that are encouraged to express themselves develop a healthy self-image. They learn the confidence to share their ideas or creations with others.
This acceptance encourages them to continue to seek and learn. Not only does that mean their brains will stay robust from exercise late into their life, it means that every generation will have people with the capacity to make the world a better place.
What is Creativity?
Most people don't realize this, but every human is creative. Every human has the potential to be more creative.
Why do some people seem more creative than others? Possibly, this is because they had better environments to nurture their creativity as children.
They learn to enjoy the creative process, and to take pride and satisfaction in their results. They may also feel more comfortable in using their time to express themselves creatively.
There are many levels of creativity. Some people do not draw, paint, or otherwise create any form of art. However they can think of unique solutions for problems in a quick and efficient manner.
Other people may not be able to put their creative talents to use in a workplace or school, but can manipulate their skills into creating a better environment, website, sculpture, or community event.
Creativity can be defined as "bringing something new into the world". Usually that something is useful or enjoyable to the person who created it as well as others.
It is also considered to be a combination of attitudes, skills and ideas. Creativity can also be a blanket term covering a variety of abilities.
The result of creativity is not always new to the entire world. It can be something that is new to the individual.
For example, if a toy ball rolls under the dresser, a child may ask their parent to retrieve it if they can't reach it with their hand. Or, it may occur to them to try to use another item to roll the ball out from underneath the furniture.
Although this solution is well-know throughout the world, it was imagined and implemented solely by the child, making it a creative solution to the problem. When they retrieve the ball, they are rewarded for their cleverness, and will continue to try new ideas in the future.
Among adults, this kind of creativity can be seen in "life hack" articles. Someone has a problem, and without any influence from outside sources, they come up with a solution or a creation that works. The result will be old news to some people, and to others it will seem brilliant.
Creativity doesn't stagnate if it is used and nurtured often.
Why do some people seem more creative than others? Possibly, this is because they had better environments to nurture their creativity as children.
They learn to enjoy the creative process, and to take pride and satisfaction in their results. They may also feel more comfortable in using their time to express themselves creatively.
There are many levels of creativity. Some people do not draw, paint, or otherwise create any form of art. However they can think of unique solutions for problems in a quick and efficient manner.
Other people may not be able to put their creative talents to use in a workplace or school, but can manipulate their skills into creating a better environment, website, sculpture, or community event.
Creativity can be defined as "bringing something new into the world". Usually that something is useful or enjoyable to the person who created it as well as others.
It is also considered to be a combination of attitudes, skills and ideas. Creativity can also be a blanket term covering a variety of abilities.
The result of creativity is not always new to the entire world. It can be something that is new to the individual.
For example, if a toy ball rolls under the dresser, a child may ask their parent to retrieve it if they can't reach it with their hand. Or, it may occur to them to try to use another item to roll the ball out from underneath the furniture.
Although this solution is well-know throughout the world, it was imagined and implemented solely by the child, making it a creative solution to the problem. When they retrieve the ball, they are rewarded for their cleverness, and will continue to try new ideas in the future.
Among adults, this kind of creativity can be seen in "life hack" articles. Someone has a problem, and without any influence from outside sources, they come up with a solution or a creation that works. The result will be old news to some people, and to others it will seem brilliant.
Creativity doesn't stagnate if it is used and nurtured often.
The Creative Process
Everything we see today started out as an idea. Walls, lamps, zippers, can openers, computers, ink pens, rubber balls, chalkboards...
Sure, some of those things were created by accidental experimentation. But the fact that someone took their creative mistakes and turned them into a useful or fun item is proof of how beneficial the creative process can be.
The creative process involves a set of steps.
An idea can come from the desire to create something, from an experience that inspired creation, or from a problem that requires a solution.
A child can think:
" I want to dress like a princess..."
"I want to make a mask like that one..."
"I need to find something to make into a princess dress or mask..."
Adults may think in a similar way:
" I want to make something to go on that wall..."
"I want to write like that author..."
"I only have these ingredients, what can I make?"...
The thought process is usually divided into two categories, divergent and convergent thinking.
Convergent thinking is usually limited to one standard answer that is true across the world. For instance, you can ask a child to tell you how many dolls they have. The number of dolls will be a standard answer.
If you ask a child to tell you about their dolls, then there will be convergent thinking as well as divergent thinking.
They may tell you that they have so many girl and so many boy dolls. They may mention hair color, size, accessories and features.
These may be standard answers too, but they allow the child to pick and choose what they think are interesting points to share.
This leads to the creative process, where the child may tell you what each doll's name, personality and feelings are like. These imaginative observations will be different for every child.
The creative process isn't entirely without rules though. Children must learn HOW something works, before they can think of creative ways to use it differently.
This is usually learned naturally as the child becomes more aware of his or her environment. For younger children, the focus of creativity is more on the process than the the end result.
As children grow and mature, the end product becomes more important, which is why it is knowing the right use for an item or idea is vital.
A better or more interesting product or solution is not as satisfying if it isn't functional after it's completion.
Sure, some of those things were created by accidental experimentation. But the fact that someone took their creative mistakes and turned them into a useful or fun item is proof of how beneficial the creative process can be.
The creative process involves a set of steps.
- Idea
- Plan
- Experimentation
- Creation
An idea can come from the desire to create something, from an experience that inspired creation, or from a problem that requires a solution.
A child can think:
" I want to dress like a princess..."
"I want to make a mask like that one..."
"I need to find something to make into a princess dress or mask..."
Adults may think in a similar way:
" I want to make something to go on that wall..."
"I want to write like that author..."
"I only have these ingredients, what can I make?"...
The thought process is usually divided into two categories, divergent and convergent thinking.
Convergent thinking is usually limited to one standard answer that is true across the world. For instance, you can ask a child to tell you how many dolls they have. The number of dolls will be a standard answer.
If you ask a child to tell you about their dolls, then there will be convergent thinking as well as divergent thinking.
They may tell you that they have so many girl and so many boy dolls. They may mention hair color, size, accessories and features.
These may be standard answers too, but they allow the child to pick and choose what they think are interesting points to share.
This leads to the creative process, where the child may tell you what each doll's name, personality and feelings are like. These imaginative observations will be different for every child.
The creative process isn't entirely without rules though. Children must learn HOW something works, before they can think of creative ways to use it differently.
This is usually learned naturally as the child becomes more aware of his or her environment. For younger children, the focus of creativity is more on the process than the the end result.
As children grow and mature, the end product becomes more important, which is why it is knowing the right use for an item or idea is vital.
A better or more interesting product or solution is not as satisfying if it isn't functional after it's completion.
Preventing Creativity Loss
Today's hectic world is not always friendly to creative children. Although teachers and later, employers, will SAY they want a creative individual, they usually want that creativity limited to a functional ability that helps the child/employee meet pre-set goals.
Most children are taught from a young age that the whole purpose of life is to make money. Therefore, they need to go a top college and obtain a top job.
These goals leave very little room for creativity, and children quickly learn they are rewarded more for what they produce in the way of numbers, grades, and statistics, than what they create solely for the joy of creating.
Experts in the field of children's mental health though feel that this places undue stress on children to achieve. When children aren't allowed to play, they are less healthy and less happy.
They are also pressured to exist in a much narrower world--one that is restricted to competitiveness than can be measured. As they become conditioned to learning methods that are solely knowledge-based, they can become less able to think and act spontaneously when the need arises.
That is why it is very important that teachers, parents, grandparents and and others encourage creativity in children.
This can be as simple as letting them color outside the lines, or as complex as asking them to imagine redesign a common item in a way they think would work better.
There are no right or wrong answers in the creative process. It has no set standards for achievement. It is an adaptable, individual art form that allows every human to experience life and express themselves in their own voice.
Most children are taught from a young age that the whole purpose of life is to make money. Therefore, they need to go a top college and obtain a top job.
These goals leave very little room for creativity, and children quickly learn they are rewarded more for what they produce in the way of numbers, grades, and statistics, than what they create solely for the joy of creating.
Experts in the field of children's mental health though feel that this places undue stress on children to achieve. When children aren't allowed to play, they are less healthy and less happy.
They are also pressured to exist in a much narrower world--one that is restricted to competitiveness than can be measured. As they become conditioned to learning methods that are solely knowledge-based, they can become less able to think and act spontaneously when the need arises.
That is why it is very important that teachers, parents, grandparents and and others encourage creativity in children.
This can be as simple as letting them color outside the lines, or as complex as asking them to imagine redesign a common item in a way they think would work better.
- Encourage pretend play (toys like play food)
- Encourage painting and drawing
- Encourage imaginative storytelling
There are no right or wrong answers in the creative process. It has no set standards for achievement. It is an adaptable, individual art form that allows every human to experience life and express themselves in their own voice.
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