3 reasons why it is important to foster your child’s creativity
It is commonly thought that being creative is an intrinsic ability of certain talented people, however, that is not the case. Creatively talented people weren’t just born with their skills, most had to hone their talent through practice. If you’re happy with this news, then I’m glad to have revealed this to you, as creativity has nothing to do with genetics.
Creativity is a way for us to express ourselves and discover new things. Which is why it is encouraged in children to motivate them in building their imaginations and inventiveness. Take advantage of their vivid imagination and a unique sense of self-expression, encouraging them to develop these skills. They will thank you with all the benefits it will bring to their life.
Let’s explore some of the reasons why fostering creativity is important for children.
1. Physical development
If your little ball of sunshine’s favourite thing to do is dance carelessly then they will develop fine motor skills, body control, and improve their body coordination. Maybe this is the time for you to hand over your dream of becoming a professional dancer to your child.
When kids engage in a creative act that is physical, beyond dancing, they will also develop their abilities to manipulate artistic tools. This will also allow them to explore building and creating things, using their senses to learn and adapt to the environment. Another way to foster your kid’s creativity is for them to participate in a school drama, main character or not, children can get engaged with the playful experimentation of ideas and emotions.
2. Emotional wellbeing
Kids love being able to express themselves creatively. It provides a massive boost to their confidence and builds self-esteem. Regularly encouraging your kids to be creative, and praising them when they accomplish great creative things will go a long way to making them more confident.
Creative experiences assist children in expressing and coping with their feelings. In other words, participating in creative activities help your children make sense of their emotions and understand their feelings better. Teaching them to start managing their own emotions. As mentioned before, it is a form of expression. As kids have limited vocabulary they use creativity to express themselves. It is best to ensure they are in an environment without judgement. In terms of social skills, your child will develop the ability to build strong friendships and learn to appreciate individual differences.
3. Intellectual growth
As children discover their ability to create creative works, they will also find a way to improve them through trial and error. For instance, they will take the creative opportunities to try out new ideas, new ways of thinking and improve their problem-solving skill.
According to Kenneth R. Ginsburg and the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, “When play is allowed to be child-driven, children practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace, discover their areas of interest, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to pursue”. Hence why encouragement towards creativity will start building a positive mindset for their intellectual growth.
Conclusion
What is important in fostering creative expression in children is the process of self-expression itself. As a parent it is important to learn to identify and listen intently as to what your children are expressing through their creativity. Keep an open mind and celebrate your children’s uniqueness and inventiveness, they need the encouragement and love in order to igniting their desire to experiment, explore and learn. It will definitely have lifelong learning impacts and benefits. After all, children always learn through play.