{"id":178388,"date":"2021-10-22T07:04:47","date_gmt":"2021-10-22T11:04:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=178388"},"modified":"2021-10-18T15:18:40","modified_gmt":"2021-10-18T19:18:40","slug":"how-to-nurture-creativity-in-your-kids-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2021\/10\/how-to-nurture-creativity-in-your-kids-2\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Nurture Creativity in Your Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

Parents who want their kids to be more creative may be tempted to enroll them in arts classes or splurge on STEM-themed toys. Those things certainly can help, but as a\u00a0professor of educational psychology<\/a>\u00a0who has\u00a0written<\/a>\u00a0extensively<\/a>\u00a0about creativity<\/a>, I can draw on more than\u00a070 years of creativity research<\/a>\u00a0to make additional suggestions that are more likely to be effective \u2013 and won\u2019t break your budget.<\/p>\n

Be Cautious With Rewards<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some parents may be tempted to reward their children for being creative, which is traditionally defined as producing something that is\u00a0both new and useful<\/a>. However, rewards and praise may actually\u00a0dissuade your child\u2019s intrinsic interest<\/a>\u00a0in being creative. That\u2019s because the activity may become\u00a0associated with the reward and not the fun<\/a>\u00a0the child naturally has doing it.<\/p>\n

Of course, I am not saying you should not place your child\u2019s artwork on your fridge. But avoid being too general \u2013 \u201cI love every bit of it!\u201d \u2013 or too focused on their innate traits \u2013 \u201cYou are so creative!\u201d Instead,\u00a0praise specific aspects<\/a>\u00a0that you like in your child\u2019s artwork \u2013 \u201cI love the way you made such a cute tail on that dog!\u201d or \u201cThe way you combined colors here is pretty!\u201d<\/p>\n

Some rewards can be helpful. For example, for a child who loves to draw, giving them materials that they might use in their artwork is an example of a reward that will\u00a0help them stay creative<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It is also important to note that there are many activities \u2013 creative or otherwise \u2013 for which a child may not have a particular interest. There is no harm \u2013 and much potential benefit \u2013 in using rewards in these cases. If a child has an assignment for a creative school activity and hates doing it, there may not be any inherent passion to be dampened in the first place.<\/p>\n

Encourage Curiosity and New Experiences<\/strong><\/p>\n

Research shows that people who are\u00a0open to new experiences and ideas<\/a>\u00a0are more creative than those who are more closed off. Many parents have children who naturally\u00a0seek new things<\/a>, such as food, activities, games or playmates. In these cases, simply continue to offer opportunities and encouragement.<\/p>\n

For those whose children may be more reticent, there are options. Although personality is theoretically stable, it is\u00a0possible to change<\/a>\u00a0it\u00a0in subtle ways<\/a>. For example, a study \u2013 although it was on older adults \u2013 found that\u00a0crossword or sudoku puzzles<\/a>\u00a0can help increase openness. Childhood and adolescence is a\u00a0natural period for openness to grow<\/a>. Encouraging curiosity and intellectual engagement is one way. Other ways might include encouraging sensible risk-taking \u2013 such as trying a new sport for a less athletic child or a new instrument for one less musically inclined \u2013 or\u00a0interest in other cultures<\/a>. Even very simple variations on an evening routine, whether trying a new craft or board game or helping cook dinner, can help normalize novelty.<\/p>\n

Help Them Evaluate Their Best Ideas<\/strong><\/p>\n

What about when children are actually being creative? Most people have heard of brainstorming or other activities where\u00a0many different ideas are generated<\/a>. Yet it is equally important to be able to\u00a0evaluate and select one\u2019s best idea<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Your child might think of 30 possible solutions to a problem, but their creativity will not be expressed if they select the one that\u2019s least interesting \u2013 or least actionable. If giving praise can be tricky, feedback can be even tougher. If you are too harsh, you risk\u00a0squashing your child\u2019s passion<\/a>\u00a0for being creative. Yet if you are too soft, your child may not develop their creativity\u00a0to the fullest extent possible<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If your child seeks out your input \u2013 which in adults can be a\u00a0good indicator of creativity<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 make sure to give feedback\u00a0after they have already brainstormed<\/a>\u00a0many possible ideas. Ideally, you can ensure your child still feels competent and focus on\u00a0feedback that connects to their past efforts<\/a>: \u201cI like the imagery you used in your poem; you are getting better! What other metaphors might you use in this last line?\u201d<\/p>\n

Teach Them When Not to Be Creative<\/strong><\/p>\n

Finally,\u00a0creativity isn\u2019t always the best option<\/a>. Sometimes, straightforward solutions simply work best. If the toilet is clogged and you have a plunger, you don\u2019t need to make your own from a coat hanger and bisected rubber duck.<\/p>\n

More notably,\u00a0some people<\/a>,\u00a0including teachers<\/a>, say they like creative people but actually have negative views of creative kids without even realizing it.<\/p>\n

If your child is in a class where their creativity is causing some blowback, such as discipline issues or lowered grades, you may want to work with your child to help them understand the best course of action. For example, if your child is prone to blurt out their ideas regardless of whether they are related to the discussion at hand, emphasize that they should\u00a0share thoughts that are directly relevant<\/a>\u00a0to the class topic.<\/p>\n

If, however, you get the feeling that the teacher simply does not appreciate or like your child\u2019s creativity, you may want to suggest that your child keep an \u201cidea parking lot\u201d where they\u00a0write down their creative thoughts<\/a>\u00a0and share them with you \u2013 or a different teacher \u2013 later in the day.<\/p>\n

Creativity has a host of\u00a0academic<\/a>,\u00a0professional<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0personal<\/a>\u00a0benefits. With some gentle nudges, you can help your child grow and use their imagination to their heart\u2019s content.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Originally published in The Conversation.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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