Introduction
Did you know that the world's top innovators are typically people under 40? Henceforth, to become extraordinarily creative and innovative, we must prepare our children from a very young age.
Innovation is the process of bringing new ideas into practice, and creativity is the ability to come up with those new ideas. These are two qualities that we all want to foster in our children. Creativity and innovativeness develop when a young person is in a nurturing environment.
The world needs creative leaders who can solve problems in new ways for an increasingly complex global economy. We need problem solvers who can be flexible, think outside the box, and take risks. Creative kids have these qualities naturally- they need parents and educators to foster their ideas into something bigger.
Research has shown that children who are more imaginative and creative can cope better with pain than those who aren't as talented in these areas. Creativity helps kids develop confidence, social skills and learn new things too.
There are many ways you can encourage your child's creative thinking and innovation ability without spending a fortune on expensive toys or activities. Here are 7 proven ways to make kids more creative and innovative!
7 Ways To Make Your Kids Creative And Innovative
Creative Playtime Everyday
Creative playtime is free-form play with materials to allow children to be lost in their imaginations for an unstructured time. Creativity may emerge from still activities like drawing, journaling, colouring, or movement activities like dancing and dancing games. It often powers up when there are constraints.
A classic example of creativity developed through constraint is the game Twister. Players hold body parts on top of colour-coordinated dots without letting any line touch another line on the mat for as long as they can, ideally until someone falls off.
This game's inventor was Chuck Foley and a colleague, Neil Rabens, originally called it Pretzel.
2. Be Open-minded About Their Interests And Ideas
Encourage your child's unique interests, even if they are unconventional for their age group or gender role. The world needs more creative thinkers who can take on challenges with perseverance rather than giving up when it seems unfamiliar.
A creative eight-year-old girl named Talia took it upon herself to train her cat for a live TV show. Talia made up games to play with her forty-pound feline, created costumes, and even found creative ways to share her vision with the world - by making a professional quality audition video and sending it to Ellen DeGeneres' team!
Remember that talent alone is not enough! But, if you have creative skills and innovative thinking, you can change the world.
3. Embrace The Mistakes As They Happen
When your child makes a mistake on purpose and realizes that mistakes are part of the process, it will teach them how to try new things without worrying about failure. This mindset is necessary as they pursue creative and innovative ideas.
Kids younger than five can literally play with any household items to develop creative and innovative ways of using them. Even the simplest things like a cardboard box could turn out to be a toy car, spaceship, or house for creative kids.
Also Read: Curiosity, Creativity, and Criticism: Why This Combination Is Essential In The Innovation process?
4. Encourage Them To Share Their Ideas
Many creative people are often seen as strange because they perceive the world differently, so it is essential to encourage your child to share their imaginative ideas with other people. This way, you will know more about your kid - maybe they are just creative in their own world, but when it comes to the real one, they lack creative thinking?
Therefore, encourage your child to share creative ideas with others and let them know it's 'ok' if others don't see things from their perspective. Until the age of six, children love sharing creative ideas, so let's encourage them while it is still possible.
5. Accept Their Unusual Ideas And Paths
The creative mind cannot be held back by the fear of failure, so let kids take creative pursuits not only in one area but in multiple other areas as well. They may excel at math but still want to learn how to play the guitar - that's great!
Encourage your kids to follow their creative talent, no matter what it is. Look for creative ways to pursue interests you don't think are "normal" or mainstream because this could lead them down an innovative path. Let your child develop a passion for something unusual, which can turn out to be a creative pursuit later on.
Researchers from the University of Arizona and Rutgers University believe that people who habitually open their perspectives to new ideas can better exercise cognitive functions such as imagination, creativity, and innovative thinking.
6. Take Them To Museums
Many creative people are inspired by art, music, or technology, so it's a good idea to expose your kids to creative thinking at museums where they can see how artists have explored their creative minds. Creative kids don't just have creative ideas themselves but also get creative inspiration from watching others' work.
It is especially true for children who love playing with LEGO toys - the more creative types of LEGO become available, the more creative they will get!
So encourage your child to explore all kinds of creative careers from writers and musicians to architects and mathematicians - this way, you won't be surprised if they don't want to do something "ordinary" like cooking food in a restaurant or being a doctor.
7. Don't Talk Them Out Of Their Crazy Ideas
Even though you may find yourself saying "that's silly" several times a day - don't! Creative kids need encouragement and support, not criticism. When they come up with ideas that aren't practical, say something like "Wow - that looks cool!" or "That sounds fun!"
They will eventually learn how to use their creative mind for practical purposes as well as creative ones.
Remember: If it doesn't work out as planned, creative kids can always get creative and think of a new creative idea!
Let's say your child wants to paint the living room with toothpaste. You can say, "Woah! That sounds fun! Let's do it!" Even though you know it won't work out as planned, your kid will feel great because you supported their idea. The next time they come up with a creative idea, they'll be that much more likely to approach you about it!
Conclusion
The bottom line is that there are several ways to help your children become creative and innovative. But not all methods will work for every child, so it's crucial to find the one that makes the most sense for you and your family.
For example, if you have an introverted child who does better with more time alone, maybe they'll benefit from being given some space away from other kids or adults during their free playtime.
If you have a lot on your plate as a parent already, maybe employing activities like art lessons can be just what every one needs! We're happy to discuss how we can help make this happen in our academy. Contact us today at Makeshift and know more!