Creativity Killers (Part 1)

We as parents often want our children to grow up creative and innovative without realising  ways or methods that might be killer to a child's ability to think creative. I came across of a book "Boost Your Child's Creativity" during the awesome extravaganza Big Bad Wolf (BBW) book sales in December 2014. It immediately ended in my basket and here i share some of the tips that can be used with your little ones. All children are naturally creative, but studies revealed that it's possible to increase creativity "IQ", particularly in young children.


How can nurturing creativity help the little ones??

We must first understand that creativity is a process and not the actual product, it is the generation and development of an original idea or thought, and the mysterious spark of inspiration which makes a piece of music or new invention truly remarkable.

Most of the time creativity for a toddler is just by asking questions that no one thought before or painting the sky purple.Creativity is about an individual response and expression-not following what others have already done.

So what are the creativity killers?

1) Helping - when they are frustrated and unsuccessful in trying new things we as parents often step in to help. this good intention will some how backfire. (I stop helping Reya with her activities and let her try on her own.. whenever she is frustrated i will just guide a little and let her on own). In a way i believe this can also boost her confidence and the opportunity to prove that she can do it.

2)The wrong toys - all the bright colors, flashing lights and loud music toys are fun.. i often find that Reya gets bored with toys frequently and go for a box or actual things in house to play (pots/ pans/ clothes/ cardboard). Children do really stretch imaginations further if they making up their own songs/music beats. Pretend plays and dancing can encourage child to be creative.

3) Deciding what is right and wrong- creativity is all about thinking out of the box and normal rules. By telling a child to color leaves in green will limit their early experiments. Its nothing wrong to color the sea in pink as well as by doing this a child is dreaming up new ways of doing things.

4) Planning their time - make sure child has some free time to do their own activities. Allow time for unstructured play. (Ok, honestly this is what have been going on for us at this moment; i just give her some random activities and after that she is off to play on own, her blocks, dancing and singing, pretend plays)

5) Right answer syndrome - Key traits of creative people is they are good at "divergent thinking" that means they can suggest a lot of idea and potential solution to a puzzle or question.

6) Competition - much research suggest that rewarding a child for doing creative things will reduce their interest in doing creative activities for which they are not rewarded.

This is for now and i will be sharing more on creativity killers in another post. Till than keep going with continuous exploring and learning with your little ones!

Cheers!


Source of information from the book: Boost your child's creativity @ Teach yourself by Victoria Wilson 



http://www.amazon.com/Boost-Childs-Creativity-Teach-Yourself/dp/1444107356