When we talk about awakening children’s creativity, one of the first things that comes to mind is: children have a lot of creativity.
However, when we talk about the same subject, but about adults, the feeling is the opposite: there are far fewer creative adults.
Why does it happen?
In part, because our tendency as parents is, unconsciously, to prune children’s creativity as they grow up, so that they fit the way things are.
But also because we believe in the myth that some people are born creative and others are not. However, what science tells us is new is that we are all born with creative potential. And that there is, how to awaken the potential for creativity that your child has had since he was born. So that it does not lose throughout life.
And these are simple steps that you can take on a daily basis.
To awaken creativity is not to let die what already exists
I already wrote in another post about 3 of our attitudes that hinder the development of creativity and another 4 that help. They are here.
But to bring these concepts into everyday practice, I have listed the 7 simple steps that you take in your home’s day-to-day relationship with your child and that will awaken his creative potential.
Step 1 – Empty the mind
Nothing to do with meditation. Emptying the mind here means leaving our concepts pre-determined. The prejudices that we end up transferring to our children in the day-to-day comments.
For example: the sky is blue. Will be? In the universe, the “sky” is black and starry. On Venus we may be able to see it green. Depending on the day, the sunset has a beautiful violet color.
Show your child that he can always be open to other possibilities.
Step 2 – Allow time
We say that in practically all texts about creativity and imagination. Time to play, time to do nothing, time, time, time. Relieve your child’s schedule, and let them have free time.
Step 3 – Understand the context
For creativity to have value, it is necessary to know in what context it will be useful. You can’t make it up just for making it up. And how to help your child understand a scenario or context of something:
For young children, let them explore and discover.
As they grow, ask questions about stories, about movies, about something they hear on the street.
Play to draw from a point of view and change the angle to draw again what you are seeing.
Fear of judgment
Step 4 – Exercise the brain
The human brain is fantastic because it is always updating, renewing, even at the neural level. The plasticity of the brain is what gives us the certainty that we can always be better.
Like a muscle, the brain needs exercise. And the best exercise for children is play.
Step 5 – Have a voice and turn
One of the barriers to awakening creativity is the fear of being judged, criticized and ridiculed. For our children to overcome this more easily, they need to have self-confidence.
So it doesn’t hurt to let your child give an opinion on what he can. Or pay real attention when he does a play, read a story, sing for you or show you a drawing.
And if you have to criticize, you can. But in a way that is not a trial. What to praise? Praise, but be superficial.
To awaken creativity is to include the new
Step 6 – Be organized
At some point, creative ideas need focus and organization to become reality.
Helping around the house is one way to do this.
Another way is to let your child have an opinion when organizing toys, school supplies, art or books and comic books. And let him do that on a daily basis.
Step 7 – Add instead of replace
If your child came across an idea different from your family’s custom, help him add this idea to what you already know. When we think about replacing, it is easier to reject a new idea, opinion and custom.
By stimulating the habit of adding, the child’s tendency is to grow more open to hearing what is new.
If you are interested in the subject of Creativity of the Children, the Time of Creativity of Time together was made for you. It takes place a few times a year, live, with Patricias do Tempojunto exploring the theme and answering questions. To participate in the next one, go here and sign up. We will be in touch.
