Did you know that NASA did a study a few years ago to assess the creative potential of NASA’s rocket scientists and engineers? They developed a test to assess the capacity to come up with fresh, different, and inventive solutions to issues. Following the first testing, they sought to dive more into the subject of “Where does creativity originate from?” So they administered the same exam to 1,600 children aged 4 to 5. And the outcomes surprised them!
98% of kids scored at the “creative genius” level!
When the exams were conducted five years later, only 30% of the same set of children scored at the same level, and only 12% scored at the same level five years later. When the same exam was given to adults, it was discovered that just 2% scored at the genius level.
Do you believe it? Your child is a creative talent as well! However, as the study shows, this begins to decline over time. Our schooling, according to the study, diminishes our creativity. We suppress our tendency for divergent, or generative, thought as we grow to excel at convergent thinking, or the capacity to focus and sharpen our thoughts.
Creativity is very essential.
More often than not we deem creativity to be more of a soft skill than an essential skill that we should foster in our children. It gets lumped together with skills like teamwork, positive attitude, or time management: beneficial to have, but secondary in comparison to being good at reading or understanding maths.
Understanding maths is great, but understanding maths with creativity is what we as caregivers have to encourage others to see. We fail to recognize that creativity is the best form of self-expression, which is why it is crucial to any successful educational strategy, especially for young children. Don’t understand how standard education fails to foster creativity? What this animated short film by Daniel Martínez Lara & Rafa Cano Méndez.
Children benefit from engaging in creative activities early on by developing their motor and communication skills, as well as their mental health. Giving youngsters the freedom to express both their emotions and their individuality by letting them participate in creative activities like painting, collage, clay sculpture, etc. encourages their mental development by giving them the chance to experiment with new concepts, thought processes, and problem-solving techniques.
While schooling is a focus for children and their development, allowing children to express themselves and enhancing their physical, social, and cognitive skills is a huge component of their growth. In the early years of a child’s life, their brain continually develops and needs regular stimulation.
A key element in fostering children’s intellectual, physical, and emotional development is encouraging them to try out new concepts and ideas. Everything that children encounter and discover about themselves impacts how they develop. So how do you encourage your youngster to be creative? Let’s find out!
Ways to foster creativity in your kid
To foster creativity in your child, focus more on fostering an environment that encourages experimentation than on teaching them how to be creative. Although children are inherently curious, they require encouragement to develop their creative abilities fully.
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Give your child permission to play at home.
Just keep in mind that while inspiration may come from the imagination, reality is where ideas truly shine. If they can get their hands dirty and explore their ideas, a random concept might end up being a full project for them. -
Give them access to a wide range of resources.
The objects around them, including toys, tools, and materials, have a big impact on how kids develop. Different sorts of activities appeal to different types of kids. Some children enjoy using LEGO bricks to construct homes and castles. With Scratch, some people like to create games and animations. Others like to create jewellery, sweets, soapbox race cars, or miniature golf courses. Giving your child the freedom to play with whatever interests them should be your goal. -
Put more emphasis on the procedure than the result.
When parents and other adults concentrate on the outcome rather than the process, that’s when they typically make mistakes. Expression through the arts should place more emphasis on the process than the end product. Your kid can be imaginative in virtually any endeavour, including maths, science, and construction. Every youngster can express their creativity; just remember that the process, not the quality of the final product, should be your primary concern. -
Encourage Independent Thinking
Too much direction and instruction can limit creativity. Encourage your children to develop original concepts and solutions. Allow them to resolve issues on their own. They will be able to create with more originality thanks to this. For anyone who wants to be creative, the ability to think independently is crucial. -
Encourage Taking Risks
Taking chances is often the source of creativity. Don’t be afraid to let your children fail as they try new activities. They will become more creative in the future thanks to the lessons they take away from these encounters. Innovation and advancement require taking calculated risks. It’s a fantastic approach to teaching children about failure and how to bounce back from it. -
Allow them to daydream
Creativity depends on daydreaming. It enables the emergence of fresh concepts and viewpoints. Encourage your children to let their brains wander occasionally each day. You can daydream whether you’re moving, swimming, or even just resting in bed. It’s a fantastic way to unwind and refresh the mind. -
Avoid Pressuring Them
The most crucial thing to remember is not to push your children to be creative. Allow them to explore and discover their way at their speed. It’s impossible to force creativity. Some children will do it instinctively, while others might require additional encouragement. All kids can develop their creative thinking skills with practice and patience.
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