Some Tips to Raise a Creative Child
Most parents want to raise creative, well-adjusted children. Creativity is something children show in a number of ways, whether it’s through arts and crafts, storytelling, or building. Their creativity will serve them well as they solve problems and tackle their schoolwork.
If you want to raise creative children, there are many things you can do to foster that creativity. The following are our favorite seven tips to discover and encourage your child’s creativity.
- Reduce your child’s screen time.
Make every effort to minimize how much screen time your children get. While it might be tempting to give into their desire for more time behind a screen, it’s important for children to have a lot of time away from screens to foster their creativity.
There are lots of great screen-free activities your child can enjoy that will foster their creativity. Whether they love to draw or build with blocks, these activities will give them a creative outlet. Even closed-ended activities like ExploraToy’s Noah’s Ark Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle encourage mindfulness, an essential ingredient for building your child’s creative abilities.
- Let your child make mistakes.
It’s tempting to do everything in your power to make sure your child doesn’t fail. While it’s still important to keep them from making mistakes that will cause them serious harm, it’s important to allow them to make mistakes.
When children are afraid of failure, they’re less likely to come up with creative solutions to problems. If you allow your child to make mistakes, they’ll be encouraged to come up with new ways to solve problems.
- Make time to get messy.
Children can make a big mess, which can be stressful for people who want to create a clean and tidy home environment. However, giving your child time and space to get messy creates the perfect opportunity for your child to be creative.
Let them use paints or scatter their blocks around the room. While it’s good to reinforce good cleanup routines, letting them have the space to get messy will help them embrace their inner artist.
- Plan creative activities.
Set aside regular time for your child to enjoy creative activities. Whether you’re setting aside an hour after dinner to color or planning an afternoon of imaginative play every weekend, these activities will encourage your child to embrace creative rhythms.
If you’re looking for new ways to stimulate your child’s imagination and foster creativity, check out ExploraToy’s article on the benefits of imaginative play for children.
- Be an example for your children.
Children learn a lot more from what their parents do that what their parents say. If you want to raise creative children, model creativity to your children. No matter what your creative outlet is, let your child see you enjoying that outlet.
We talked to one woman whose earliest memories included watching her mom sew and cross stitch. From a young age, she grew up wanting to do those same creative activities. As an adult, she continues to set aside time to sit and stitch with her aging mother. Like her, your children will learn from watching you model creativity.
- Make space for your child to be independently creative.
Your child is more likely to try new things and take creative risks if they don’t feel pressured by your watchful eyes. While you should monitor them to ensure safety, create space for your child to be creative without your involvement in every step.
For example, you can give your child paper and coloring supplies for them to draw. Once they’re settled in and drawing, sit on the other end of the room and enjoy an activity by yourself. Not only will your child learn to entertain themselves, but they’ll be able to work out their own creative process.
- Help them build the fine motor skills needed to enjoy creative pursuits.
While fostering creativity is often about making space for your child to try new things, it’s important to help your child develop the fine motor skills they’ll need for both classroom learning and creative pursuits. For example, take the time to help your child learn how to hold crayons and use scissors. If your child enjoys certain crafts, spend time making sure they know how to use their available tools.
ExploraToy’s Lace and Trace Toys Set is a great toy to both entertain your child and help them work on their fine motor skills. Since it comes in a little storage container, it’s a great way to work on your child’s fine motor skills while you’re waiting at the doctor’s office.
Final Thoughts
Raising creative children takes a lot of effort and creativity. However, it is possible to raise creative children who feel empowered to use their creative thinking skills in every part of their lives.
Purchasing toys that foster your child’s creativity is one of the most meaningful things you can do to raise creative children. ExploraToy has a wide selection of high-quality wooden toys perfect for raising creative children. Check out our full selection of great toys here.
