Guest post by Jessica Robinson

Has a child ever asked you a question and you wondered where it came from? Have they ever done something unexpected and wondered how they acquired the intelligence? We tend to look at kids as beings with no thinking abilities, but we are highly wrong. Children are able to learn from what is exposed to them, although many times, they practically create a mess of everything.

We all must agree that raising a child isn’t easy, but we have to remember that parents and guardians have a huge role to play in nurturing a child. Science shows that a child’s brain develops more before the age of five and the type of experiences exposed to the child influence their brain development. At this stage, the child can learn quickly or adapt as desired since they are good at imagining things. This also means that we can teach them to think creatively.

If you want a child to be creative, then, this is the best time to guide him/her. Creative activities will not only boost a child’s mental development. But they can also promote creativity. Here are the best 5 ways to promote greater creativity in children.

1. Educational Resources

We live in a modern world where technology is conquering every aspect of life and it’s obviously shaping the future. Although providing toys to a child was merely done to distract them or stop them from crying, there is a new perception about the power of toys in a child’s mental development. That’s why we see things like educational resources.

To make a child’s early stages more developmental, the education systems today recommend parents to take advantage of STEM educational resources. Leveraging educational materials and supplies is seen as a sustainable approach to promoting creativity in kids. Generally, they not only stimulate creativity but also helps children develop an interest in science subjects since technology is now part of us.

There is a range of educational resources or supplies that can help promote greater creativity in children whether in the arts or science field, in homes or schools, whether in leisure or learning sessions.

2. Let Them Explore Their Interests

Not every child is meant to become an engineer or a doctor. That’s why it’s essential for parents to understand and nurture their children’s talents during the childhood phase. Although you may desire your child to become an architect, if you realize that the child has a talent for sports, then help nurture that talent. The world today has room for creativity in every aspect of life i.e fashion, retail, photography, etc.

Whenever one is pursuing their interest, they tend to think critically and also become more creative. All you have to do is to let your child engage in those co-curricular activities that can develop the talent i.e drawing, storytelling, etc. Besides, it will help your child enjoy his childhood life.

3. Recognize Effort

There is no parent who wouldn’t want their child to take the first position in class or secure a position among the best performers. However, when it doesn’t happen, don’t be too hard on the kid. Instances where parents only recognize good grades have left many kids mentally devasted because of the force that parents tend to use. Worst of all, some parents may not take initiative to find the root cause.

Celebrating the extra effort exhibited by the kid in school or at home fosters a growth mindset which helps the kid learn that it isn’t all about grades. With this, the kid will put more emphasis on growing his potential which promotes creativity. Carol Dweck, a psychologist, explains that people with a growth mindset believe that their abilities can grow, change, or can be developed.

When a kid has a growth mindset, he will seek out opportunities and ways to perform better unlike those with a fixed mindset. Kids with a growth mindset also put their brains to full use and can manage challenges better than their counterparts. So, as a parent, it’s best to encourage kids to perform better, but in ways that don’t kill their morale.

4. Create Room for Creativity

Unlike before, modern kids prefer spending time on smartphones and laptops. On a good note, there is a range of educational apps and games that can enhance the power of creativity in kids. Some games and puzzles require a high degree of imagination which enhances a child’s creativity.

In this way, kids learn how to set SMART Goals and cultivate techniques for achieving them. However, parents must be watchful! Allowing your kid to spend a lot of time on a smartphone or gadget can damage his/her social skills. Kids also need to socialize in order to understand the etiquette and practice emotional intelligence.

On the other hand, modeling things can help kids learn better and grow their creativity. For example, family games, finger painting, read along, or teaching a child a second language can all help promote creativity.

Engaging your child in other practical things like gardening, baking, or tailoring can increase their productivity. Besides, you can try to expose your kid to developmental social cycles in order to practice or improve what he/she has learned.

5. Teach them to take Initiative

During the early stages, kids tend to be curious, inquisitive, and engage in a lot of things. That is all the power of the brain! As parents, you can use this chance to help your kid master the art of thinking creatively. You can assign simple tasks to your kid or assign responsibilities where they have to be accountable.

You can also encourage initiative by letting them engage in different activities such as painting, cleaning, or laundry. In this way, you will be helping them attain practical skills that are useful in life.

In some cases, try to ask questions about their experience to help them learn how to think critically. Ensure to correct them and avoid leaving questions unanswered. This only kills curiosity and the kid’s creativity will also be affected. Apart from this, you can utilize a range of practical tips to support your kid’s creativity.

All in all, the childhood phase is the best period to foster creativity in kids and parents can play a huge role when it comes to this. Besides, it will not only improve their academic performance but will also help them for a lifetime. All you have to do is to understand your kid better, guide him/her and follow the provided tips here to promote greater creativity in your child.

If you would like to learn more about navigating these strange times or how TKL is transforming education, visit teachnkidslearn.com today!

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Jessica Robinson loves to write interesting and knowledgeable blogs regarding business management, education and life to satiate the curiosity of her lovely readers. Currently, she is serving as a content manager at the ‘Speaking Polymath’. Every piece of content that she writes demonstrates her immense love and passion for her profession.