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How do you raise children well? What does it take to have them mature into responsible, well-rounded adults?
Most people just recall how their own parents raised them and follow their lead. The thing is, every generation grows up differently. As norms change and the spirit of the times shift, so must grown-ups adapt with new parenting methods.
In the case of unlocking creativity in children, some customs are still relevant while new ones are more effective than others. Here are three of the usual ways you can raise creative kids.
Engage kids with Arts and Crafts
The most straightforward way to unlock a child’s creativity is to have them create, and a good artistic hobby suited for children is crafting.
In fact, schools always have time when young students can play around with the arts.
For one, crafting allows kids to give form to their imaginations. Seeing their ideas in physical form can inspire them to do more.
Plus, once kids have crafted something, they usually will use their new creations while playing, boosting their imaginations.
Besides, craft supplies are easy on the wallet and easy to acquire. You can buy a lot and have your little munchkin go wild without worrying about the costs or the convenience of getting them. After all, you want them to craft more so they can become more creative.
Teach kids to Accept Mistakes
“We don’t make mistakes; we have happy accidents,” said Bob Ross, a painter beloved for his TV show “The Joy of Painting.”
Here’s another quote: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work,” said Thomas Edison, who invented the light bulb after making over a thousand mistakes in the attempt.
Mistakes are good. Mistakes are better teachers than books. And creativity involves making a lot of mistakes.
If you scold your child whenever they make a mistake, they’ll become rigid, inflexible. Their minds will be trained to rely more on established rules and structures rather than exploring new ideas.
Instead, teach your child to accept their mistakes. Do that by praising their effort and not by judging their results. Talk to them about the good that they did and only touch lightly on the bad, perhaps prodding them with constructive feedback or, better yet, ask them how they can do it better.
Let kids try Something New
Just as trying something new can break the mold of routine in adults, so, too, does it expand children’s perspectives on the world.
So encourage them to go out of their comfort zone and let them try a new hobby or a new skill.
Having first-hand experience on many things gives your kid plenty of knowledge to draw from. When their imagination fails, they can find inspiration in what they already know.
Additionally, in the process of learning something fresh, like a new language, your child’s mind will be forced to think harder than it usually does. When they encounter an unfamiliar conundrum, they’ll be able to think their way out of their bamboozlement, which may often require creativity.
This isn’t just limited to hobbies or concepts. You can also take your child somewhere new, like a hidden lake or a safari, or introduce them to someone whose job isn’t yet familiar to your child yet, like a mime or a street magician.
Conclusion
Whether you’re still expecting or your kids have already popped out, good parental advice is always valuable. In this case, it’s valuable and free.
But these are only three methods. There are other parenting methods too that you may discover while browsing the net or may realize while raising your cubs.
Creativity breeds creativity. So be creative yourself and learn new ways you can get your child more creative!
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Krystal says
I’ve been making a point to do more art projects. I don’t like messes, so I usually put those off. LOL