Children and Creativity: How to Support It
Creativity exists in every child; left unsupported, it can fade over time. We have gathered the behaviours that nourish a child’s creativity and those that harm it.
Creativity is a capacity that exists in every individual and reaches into every area of life. In its most general sense, it means drawing something new from what is known, arriving at an original synthesis, finding new solutions to problems and forming new relationships between events. This potential appears at a very young age, but if it is not given due importance and support, it can fade over time. In this article, we consider how we can protect and nourish a child’s creativity.
What Is Creativity?
Experts note that creativity should not be equated one to one with intelligence; creativity has no direct link to other mental activities. A common misconception is to limit creativity to artistic activities alone. Yet creativity shows itself in science and in other social fields as well. In other words, a child can be as creative in mathematics, science or everyday problem solving as in drawing.
Behaviours That Harm Creativity
Attitudes That Blunt Creativity
Constant surveillance
Watching every activity reduces a child’s confidence.
Constant evaluation
A child who knows they will be judged holds back.
Excessive reward
Rewarding everything extinguishes the natural sense of creativity.
Competition
The fear of failing blocks creativity.
Excessive control
A child who does not feel independent grows reluctant.
Limited choice
Narrow means mean narrow creativity.
All my life I have striven to attain the creativity of a child.
What Can You Do as a Parent?
However young the child may be, play with them, touch them, introduce them to sounds and to silence as stimuli. Alongside ready-made toys, turn the materials at home into a source of creation: plastic boxes, colourful magazine pages, lids, leftover fabric and old clothes make wonderful play materials.
- Open space for exploration: Let the child perceive materials with all their senses.
- Develop the power of observation: Organise outings; guide them on what to look at and what to listen for.
- Allow independence: Do not keep the space too tidy; do not pressure them to maintain order.
- Do not intervene: Do not interfere with what the child creates through imagination, and do not impose your own direction on their thoughts.
- Put the process first: Let them feel that you value the process more than the result; give them time to try different solutions.
In brief
- Creativity exists in every child and is not limited to art alone.
- Excessive surveillance, evaluation and competition blunt creativity.
- Opening space for exploration, allowing independence and putting the process first nourish it.
For approaches that support your child’s development, you can review our guidance unit or get in touch with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are creativity and intelligence the same thing?
No. Experts note that creativity should not be directly equated with intelligence; every child can be creative in their own field.
Does rewarding a child harm creativity?
Tying every activity to a reward can make the child dependent on rewards and weaken the natural sense of creativity. Appreciating the process and the effort is healthier.
How do I support creativity at home?
Open space for free play with leftover materials, organise outings, do not interfere with the child’s imagination, and value the process more than the result.
Gökkuşağı Koleji · In every child there is a creator.