One of my favorite parts about my last jobs was putting together playgroup curriculum for preschool-aged children. I loved coming up with art activities (which often entailed making sample projects) to nurture their child’s creativity and discussing with the staff how they could talk to parents about doing these type of activities with their children.
I have been wanting to share with you a little bit about what I learned and help you to apply it to your own family. Regardless of how crafty or artistic you consider yourself, here are five simple things you as a parent or caregiver can do to nurture your child’s creativity, and I have even included a little printable at the end!
Find new uses for old items
I have found that children are often infinitely better at thinking outside of the proverbial box than we are as adults. To us, a paper towel roll is often just that, but a child it can be so much more. It can be a telescope, a sword, a microphone, or one of 10,000 other things that I can guarantee will not come to my head. Instead of just giving your children pre-designed art kits, give them old objects that would otherwise be tossed and some basic art supplies and let them go to town. See what new toys they can make for themselves or works of art out of old objects.
Ask open-ended questions
One of the biggest imagination killers is when you tell a child, “Oh, honey, what a beautiful doggie you made!” when in fact, that dog that they just drew was actually a dragon. Instead of dictating what your child is making, ask them open-ended question (rather than yes/no questions) such as “Tell me about what you are making” and “Tell me about _____” after they have explained what it is that they made. Ask questions about the materials they are using: “How does it feel?” “What colors are there?” “What does it smell like?”
[Tweet “When you child is making something ask open-ended questions #creativity”]
Do activities that implement multiple senses
Making art is more than just a tactile experience and using your hands. There are sounds and smells and, depending on what you are making, tastes. Involve as many senses as you can into the activities that you do. Instead of just coloring with crayons, finger paint. Make a collage with dead leaves and talk about the sounds the make as you crumple them in your hands. Again, ask lots of open-ended questions along the way!
Give your children permission to explore
I understand that we all have a threshold for how much of a mess we want our children to make, but try to push the boundaries of your own comfort zone to do things with your child that could create a bigger mess than you might normally like. Wear something that you don’t mind getting dirty (for both you and your child), throw some old sheets or towels on the floor or go outside and get messy! If she sees you trying new things and having fun, then she will likely feel more comfortable trying them for herself. Introduce your child to new age-appropriate materials that she might not have yet explored, such as glue, paint, stickers, yarn, buttons. Again, ask lots of questions!
[Tweet “Give your child permission to explore and make a mess #creativity”]
Focus on the process, rather than the end result
Raise your hand if you have ever been making an art project with a child and you have said something like, “Oh, honey, the eyes go up here” or “Let me glue that on for you.” (I have definitely been guilty of this.) As adults, it is so easy for us to get so focused on what something is supposed to look like rather than just allowing our children to explore. Fight the urge to try to “fix” what your child is making and allow them to go to town. If you like, you can always make your own version of what they are making alongside your child. In fact, I highly encourage it!
[Tweet “It’s not what your child makes; focus on the process #creativity”]
Talking and asking questions is a great way to help your child learn. I have created a free PDF with 20 sample questions you ask your child to spark their creativity. Just click on the image below to download!
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Janine Huldie says
November 18, 2014 at 7:05 amThank you for sharing this and always looking for new ways to help both my girls shine with their creativity here, too 🙂
Bev F. says
November 19, 2014 at 5:40 amMy pleasure!
DearCreatives says
November 18, 2014 at 3:59 pmGreat tips as they get older let them explore their interests and support their interests in creativity, art and music with lessons, free time with instruments or art supplies….
Bev F. says
November 19, 2014 at 5:40 amOh yes, instruments are great!
Mrs.AOK says
November 18, 2014 at 9:50 pmWonderful tips, Bev! My house wouldn’t be a home without glitter and creativity…. and a few colorful messes 🙂
XOXO
Bev F. says
November 19, 2014 at 5:41 amI’m sure there will be lots of messes one day….at least messes that aren’t made just by me!
Tamara Bowman says
November 19, 2014 at 10:45 amI think it’s so awesome that kids see big things in household objects. The paper towel cardboard tube is a “pirate stick” here.
I love the idea about multiple senses too!
Bev F. says
November 20, 2014 at 9:14 pmIt’s amazing what they see that we as adults really cannot. A pirate stick sounds awesome!
Lauren B. says
November 19, 2014 at 2:26 pmgreat suggestions here! I really try not to help Hudson with his projects anymore, since I tend to jump in with how i ‘think’ things should go!
Bev F. says
November 20, 2014 at 9:13 pmOh I know how hard that is! It’s so tempting to do it our way, right?
Brandyn Blaze says
November 19, 2014 at 10:04 pmLove this! Creativity is something we cherish deeply in our home and I always enjoy finding new ways to instill it in my little one. Thank you for sharing!
Bev F. says
November 20, 2014 at 9:13 pmThat’s great! It’s so important to me as well and I want my daughter to have creativity infused into her world as she gets older.
Clare Swindlehurst says
November 20, 2014 at 1:18 amSuch wonderful advice here! I definitely need to remember to let them explore and get messy!
Bev F. says
November 20, 2014 at 9:13 pmIt’s so much fun when we let them dive right in, and I think it’s fun for us adults as well to get our hands dirty!
Clare Swindlehurst says
November 28, 2014 at 8:17 amThat is so true Bev – I’ve just discovered that my local library has a messy play session once a week, so I’m going to give that a try. All the fun with no cleaning up of the mess 😉
Alison B says
November 20, 2014 at 6:27 amI am a big fan of messy art and have old clothes that my son and I wear each time so that we don’t have to worry. We also do most of our painting over old sheets, makes clean up so much easier!!
Bev F. says
November 20, 2014 at 9:12 pmThat is fantastic! I will make sure to keep some old sheets on hand for when my little one is older. I anticipate making lots of messes with her!
Stephanie K says
November 20, 2014 at 10:13 amThis is a great reminder! I have tossed out so many old paper towel rolls that I know I loved to play with when I was a child. One thing my kids have enjoyed is playing in shaving cream on a cookie sheet at the table. They draw pictures and trace letters in it, and it’s an easy clean-up.
Bev F. says
November 20, 2014 at 9:11 pmShaving cream is awesome for that! My little one is still too young for it, but we used to do it at playgroups and it was fantastic.
Brittany M says
November 29, 2014 at 11:16 amThese are great suggestions! I know for me its the messiness that keeps me from letting my kids get really creative, I’ll try to work on letting go a little more, thanks!
Bev F. says
December 2, 2014 at 9:30 amI know, it’s hard when you want to contain the mess. Maybe if you can find a time when you don’t feel rushed and an area where you don’t have to worry about things getting messy (besides what the kids are working on)? Good luck and thanks for stopping by!
Rahul Jain says
December 5, 2015 at 12:48 amNice blog, I would like to suggest some other points related to nurturing creativity in the growing children:
– Don’t suppress their energy; channelize
– Spend time with them
– Create a positive, conducive environment around
– Gift them some creative toys
– Support with healthy and natural food and avoid packaged food
Fore more on parenting you can follow the link given below: http://blog.sluban.in/lego-toys/how-to-nurture-creativity-in-growing-children/“
Bev F. says
February 11, 2016 at 3:21 pmHi Rahul, I just saw your comment on my post. Thank you for the thoughtful tips!