The Top
10 Ways to Nurture Creativity in Your Children and Yourself
copyright
2003 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!
1. Freedom
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.
3.
Respect
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 begins.
Here are some examples of comments that
nurture the creative environment:
"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 creativity.
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
get silly!
Creativity is within each of our grasps. It is within each
of us waiting to be discovered. Let it out, you and your children CAN nurture
a lifetime of creativity!
Enjoy!
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 to Parenting_for_Potential-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
http://www.parentingforpotential.com
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Use the information provided on this site as an educational resource for determining your options and making your own informed choices. It is not intended as medical advice or to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any specific illness.