Children naturally love to play and make things: paint, draw, sing, dance, write stories and get messy cooking in the kitchen. We may think of this as a natural, normal phase of childhood – and it is! – but it’s also so much more.
Research shows that when your child is creative, their brain function increases, stress hormones and inflammation decrease, and their immune system gets stronger.
Long term, children who are creative more often, are naturally happier, better focussed, and have less anxiety and depression than children who don’t regularly engage in creative activities.
And what about when they grow up? According to a study by Professor David Gill, creative adults get higher paying jobs, more quality jobs, and reach higher levels of education. They are more confident, independent, and resilient, no matter what life throws their way.
In short, creativity matters.
So how can you, as a parent, nurture your child’s creativity? It doesn’t have to mean paying for art classes or music lessons. Read on for tips and strategies you can do every day that will keep your child’s creative spark ignited.
1. Everyone is creative. Creativity isn’t a talent. It’s a myth that you’re born creative or not. We can all be creative geniuses, given the opportunity. Make time and space for your child to do more creative things, more often. Put on some music and dance together. Get out those pencils and draw. Read a book and pause part way through allowing your child to make up what happens next. Cook a meal together and add some creative flourishes. Explore other cultures. Read riddles. Do puzzles. There is creativity waiting to be discovered around every corner.
2. Allow your child to lead. Creativity is fun. Today, where it’s so easy for children to choose to consume video games and television over creative tasks, it’s even more important to let them choose activities they are passionate about. If they love playing outside with nature and making perfume out of flowers (this was my favorite activity as a child), then let them do it. Are they obsessed with drawing bugs? Great. Do they love making things out of empty boxes? Amazing. Let your child choose their passion, move at their own pace, and engage fully in the activity. This teaches them to follow their creative spark, and you might be amazed where it will lead them one day.
3. Set up a “creative space” to encourage creative time. Creativity is a skill, and skills are built over time and repetition. Your child needs time to get good at their creative endeavours. For example, the more they draw, the better they’ll get. When developing a skill, small amounts everyday can lead to significant improvements. When you set up a “creative space,” your child is more likely to build blocks, create Lego masterpieces, or draw. Having a special space invites small amounts of creativity more often. The creative space can be a child-sized table, a corner of the bedroom, or even a favorite rug just for creative time. It announces, “It’s time to get creative!” Be sure to place it away from the TV and tablet charging station!
4. Make your feedback count. As a parent, you want to praise your child when they do something creative. It’s totally natural. You’re proud of them and want them to know. It feels natural to say something like, “That’s really good. I like it.” However, we now know this sort of feedback makes kids outcome driven. They measure their work and their value based on whether you liked what they created. This eventually creates an insecure artist who is frightened of criticism and always seeks praise. Instead, we want creativity to be valued for the process. Ideally, creativity is something your child enjoys doing for the sake of doing it, which will lead them to want to be creative more often. So instead of saying you like what your child made, or that it’s good, give feedback that encourages your child to talk about what they created. Examples may be, “That tower is really tall,” “You look like you’re really enjoying that,” “Was that fun?”, or “Tell me about what you made?”.
5. What’s one of the best ways to ignite your child’s creative spark? Join in! Engaging in creativity activities with your child will teach them that you love their creative side. Being creative with your child can be as simple as doing a coloring sheet together or having a dance party. Your child will also learn and be inspired by the ways you express your creativity. Don’t forget to let them lead – and have fun!
Creativity & Digital Mental Health Games
Did you know playing digital games is another way to nurture creativity? From fast-paced problem-solving to brain-teasing puzzles, Mightier has a variety of games to flex your child’s creative muscles. What’s better? Mightier uses these games alongside biometric feedback to help kids explore their emotions and build coping skills through play. Start a free trial to see if Mightier could be a fit for your child!
Elena Paige was a counselling psychologist for over 20 years, specialising in emotions, positive thinking, and mindfulness. She now works full time as a Children’s Book Author, penning stories that inspire a child’s imagination and quest for adventure, while also gifting them with valuable life lessons and personal growth. Her titles include the best-selling series Meditation Adventures for Kids, and Evie Everyday Witch. You can find her at ElenaPaige.com.
Evans, J. E. (2007). The science of creativity and health. In I. A. Serlin, J. Sonke-Henderson, R. Brandman, & J. Graham-Pole (Eds.), Whole person healthcare Vol. 3. The arts and health (pp. 87–105). Praeger Publishers.
Gill, David and Prowse, Victoria L., The Creativity Premium (May 28, 2021). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3855808 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3855808
