"The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him." (Pablo Casals)
17 Ideas to Encourage Children's Creativity
- Give young children a tape recorder so they can capture their ideas.
- Change your normal mode of transportation. If you usually drive, occasionally take a bus or train.
- Grow a garden with your child. Even a windowsill garden can be fun.
- Give older children an 'idea journal' which can be as inexpensive as a 59 cent composition notebook.
- Take nature walks and see what your child sees; you'll be amazed at his powers of observation.
- Discuss new discoveries over dinner and ask your children how they would use them.
- Toss out a problem and ask them how they would solve it; don't limit the problems to those you think they could solve. They may surprise you.
- Start a story and let the children finish it.
- Limit noise, video games, and computer time.
- Play games with your children and read to them.
- Ask your children to explain what they have created; don't assume you know what it is.
- Let them do it for themselves; we know you can color.
- Give your children supplies and materials you find around the house. Resist the urge to buy craft kits.
- Let your children find their own 'right way' in art. Don't insist that it is done your way.
- Appreciate your child's individuality. Resist temptations to compare children. It makes them feel like they're not good enough or may make them resentful.
- Encourage curiosity.
- Answer their questions. If you don't know the answer, tell them you need time before answering.
