Fostering Creativity by Amanda Allen

Recently, Sajja and Kabba have been learning about colors, and we have been talking about how to incorporate these concepts into your child’s life. Check out our posts on The Importance of Coloring and ​Color Theory​. Today, let’s talk about how we can use these techniques to help build our child’s creativity ​

Why is this important?

In the 90's, a movement began in education called the 21st Century Skills. This is a set of skills that was created based on research collected when employers were asked the simple question: What skills do individuals need to succeed in the workforce? These skills include: collaboration, critical thinking, leadership, and creativity (among others). While this inventory is widely accepted by educators and administrators, execution in public education has been difficult. Ken Robinson, a leader in the education sector, addresses the problem with our current education system and views on intelligence in general in his humorous and enlightening TED Talk. Ultimately, children are tremendously creative and inquisitive beings, and we adults tend to squash that creativity. ​

How to encourage creativity?

One way is to present problems (or avenues for discovery) to children and let them explore without fear of failure. For example, you could collect a variety of cooking supplies (oil, flour, baking soda, vinegar, food coloring, etc.) and let kids experiment with mixing various substances. Last week, Sajja and Kabba were presented with an avenue for discovery when their whole world began to change colors and, like any child would, they began asking questions and learning and having fun. ​

Other great ways to engage children in creative pursuit is through art, music, and dance. Get a poster board and various art supplies and encourage them to create art, without any guidelines, rules, or order. Turn on music and have an impromptu dance party in your kitchen. Make up silly songs when you're driving in the car.
By infusing creativity in our daily lives it becomes a part of our cognitive processes. Many business professionals take improvisation classes because they recognize the need for creativity in their presentations and interactions with clients.
Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” Help your child hold on to their artistic nature and rediscover your inner artist this week!