Some Simple Steps to Inspire your Child’s Creativity

Did you know that art and creativity is an excellent way to treat anxiety and stress in children? It also has a positive impact on their cognitive and physical development. 

“Imagination does not become great until human beings, given the courage and strength, use it to create."

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 -Maria Montessori

Here are a few things that you can do to help your child’s natural creativity to flow:

1. Avoid Giving Instructions: Ideally, all you need to do is to hand over the art supplies to your child and let him do what he thinks is best. So, if your child thinks the grass can be painted red, let him do it. The lesser instructions you give, the better it is. If the child does not know what to do and asks for help, tell him what you think can be done (as against what ‘should’ be done). The idea is not to produce a great work of art but to allow for the child’s thoughts to flow. Encourage them to make their own decisions and give flight to their imagination. Approval from an adult should not burden the child to limit his expressions. 

2. Avoid Ready-Made Kits: The simplest of supplies are the best to stir your child’s creative thought process. Paper, crayons, paint, brushes, beads, string, stickers…whatever you can think of. Avoid using ready-made kits that come with specific directions. 

3. Avoid Questioning: Looking at a child’s work of art, we often tend to ask what it is that they have created. And are often surprised to see that the child is unable to put into words what he has made. Young minds don’t necessarily think of their creation as representational. A better approach would be to describe how you interpret the artwork and encourage your child to share his views. 

4. Find Art in the Surroundings: As much as possible, encourage your child to draw inspiration from his surroundings. Pick up a flower and talk about how the petals are symmetrically placed. Or let your child pick up leaves fallen in the park to create their own project. The freer they are to experiment, the more they will tap into their own imagination. 

Stay Tuned! Stay Relevant!