Despite what first comes to mind when we think of the word “creativity”, it is more than art and crafts. It’s the ability to come up with new, innovative ideas and concepts which is essential for higher level thinking, like problem solving. Unlike other skills like numeracy, it takes a slightly different approach to teach. Children require the freedom and flexibility to experiment and create their own ideas. Materials like Lego do an excellent job of this as children aren’t limited to set guidelines and can run wild with their imagination. If you’d like to learn more about how to boost your child’s creativity, keep reading as we share methods commonly used in the classroom below.
Explore Alternative Ideas and Perspectives
Creativity is all about idea generation. To do a good job at it and come up with innovative ideas, it’s important for children to think outside the box. They will need to think differently and consider all different possibilities and perspectives. To help, you may introduce your child to some of your own. When tackling problems, flip them on their head and show them that there are various ways to tackle a problem and there is no right or wrong answer.
Ask Them Questions
To continue from the point above, you should also make a habit of asking your child questions. It will shape their way of thinking and encourage them to think deeper and formulate their own ideas.
Unstructured Play Opportunities
Going back to play, it’s important that children aren’t overwhelmed by so many toys and have the freedom to choose what they want to play with and how. This is what we call “unstructured play” and is extremely important when teaching children to think creatively. It allows them to exercise their imagination and encourages the brain to respond differently.
Arts and Crafts
Crafting is the more obvious way to help children with their creative thinking. While it’s not the only form of creativity, it gives children a fun way to explore and express themselves. There are so many possibilities of what they can create and who knows, you may even inspire them to become the next Vincent Van Gogh or Banksy.
Offer Inspiration
If it’s inspiration that they are in search of to get them going, you may want to look at work created by others, visit a museum, or explore the world around you for ideas.
*Collaborative Post