The Top 10 Ways to Nurture Creativity in Your Children
By Kelly Jo Murphy
There are many things that you, as a parent, can do
to nurture your children's creativity. Each of the following ways
are about you nurturing your children's creativity, but they can
just as easily be used for yourself or the child in you wanting to
come out and play!
First and foremost is to give her the freedom to think, to feel, to
be herself. This can only be when your child feels secure in her
environment, when she feels it is OK to be herself. Give her the
time, space and materials to create to her heart's content.
Children tend to be more creative when parents give their children
a great deal of freedom.
2. Be an example of a creative person in action
You are your children's primary role model. Let her see what it
looks like to be creative. Some of the attributes are easy going,
non-authoritarian, open to new adventures and activities, risk
taking, following your own interests and passions.
Respecting that each child has the right to be herself and
believing in her uniqueness builds your child's confidence in
herself. She then feels capable of taking risks and being original.
Respect her imagination and fantasies. They are where creativity
Here are some examples of comments that nurture the creative
"It's fun to try it different ways"
"Tell me about it"
"Let's try it anyway"
"Have you thought of any alternatives?"
"I see you are having lots of fun"
These comments focus on having faith in your child and that it is
OK to do it HER way.
4. Emotional Detachment from the outcome
Detach yourself from HER outcome. Her creative endeavors are hers.
Take pride in your own work, let her take pride in her own.
5. Based on values not rules
Too many rules are stifling to creativity. But, if you base your
actions on what you value, be an example of those values, and let
your children decide their behavior according to those values,
creativity will flourish.
6. Achievement not grades
Encourage your children to do their best and accomplish wonderful
things. Rote learning and high grades are not as important as
imagination and integrity in developing creativity. Creativity is
developed in her achieving what is important to her.
7. Appreciate creativity
Encourage inquisitiveness and a sense of wonder. As Albert Einstein
said, "I have no special gift, I am only passionately
curious." Appreciating and acknowledging your children's
creative attempts and endeavors fosters more of the same.
8. Have a vision
Envision her as the wonderfully unique and original person she is.
Take your cues from her interests and passions. See her as capable
of doing great, creative things.
Have confidence and trust that she is fine doing things her own
way, doing things that might be different than the "norm." That vote of confidence allows
her the freedom to be more creative.
When you expect your children to be creative, they will be. The
self-fulfilling prophecy is a strong influence on your children's
behavior, including creativity.
9. Maximize success
Give your children every opportunity to develop new interests, see
new things, experience something different, build new skills. And
when she expresses her original ideas about those new experiences,
go with it.
Let it be OK, let it be great, let it be the
"norm" to express herself in whatever way feels good to
her. Success breeds more success. Creativity breeds more
10. Have fun, a sense of humor
Laugh, have fun, laugh, have fun, laugh a lot. Did I mention
laugh?! :) Humor is a key ingredient in creativity. Laugh at situations, events, yourself. Lighten up and
Creativity is within each of our grasps. It is within each of us
waiting to be discovered. Let it out, your children CAN
nurture a lifetime of creativity!
Kelly Jo Murphy is a Certified Parent Coach,
Artist, Wife, Mom and an all around silly little girl. She helps
parents add more fun, ease and fulfillment to their parenting and
their own lives. To sign up for her free ezine, send a blank email