Creative Child

Routines and Habits to Boost Your Child’s Creativity

by Rebecca Eanes

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Shared Storytelling

When my children were young, I’d lie between them in bed and we’d make up fantastic adventures together. Even now, these are some of our best and happiest memories, and little did I know how much this simple nightly routine was growing their imaginations and their creativity! Now as a teen and a pre-teen, both are proficient storytellers as well being creative musicians and artists, and I think their creative sparks can be traced back to those late night stories we made up together. 

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To begin this creative routine with your child, snuggle up together and think of a theme or topic. Then, decide who will begin the story. That person will tell the beginning of the story, and leave off for the next person to pick up. Then, you, or the next person in line, will take the story in their own creative direction for several minutes before leaving off for the next to pick up, and so on! This is a wonderful brain exercise to really get those creative juices flowing! 

Engage in Creative Play

Your child has playtime everyday anyway, right? Chances are, your child is already engaging in creative play naturally, which is defined as “children’s play that tends to satisfy the need for self-expression as well as to develop manual skills.” Painting, sculpting, crafting, role-play, music play, drawing, and dancing are all forms of creative play. To ensure that your child engages in a regular routine of creative play, consider the following:

  1. Create a special art corner or space in your home for creative play. This space could include an easel with paper and paints, a desk with a drawing pad and pencils, playdough, construction paper, etc. 
  2. Set aside a specific time each day for creative play. To create a habit, one has to be consistent for several weeks. It’s easier for your child to be consistent if you schedule into his daily routine. Perhaps creative play happens right after nap time or every evening at 5 pm or directly after breakfast. The goal is to make it a natural part of daily life.
  3. Expose them to new outlets. If your child resists painting or drawing, don’t give up! Introduce him to dance. If that doesn’t strike his fancy, try modeling kits. Experiment with several different types of creative activities so your child can find her spark.

 

Sources:

  1. “Meditation Makes You More Creative, Study Suggests.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 28 Oct. 2014, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141028082355.htm. 
  2. Heavenridge, Paul. Why Read? Reason #6: Knowledge Is Power but Imagination Is More Valuable. 20 May 2015, www.literacyworks.org/news/2015/5/20/why-read-reason-6-knowledge-is-power-but-imagination-is-more-valuable#:~:text=Reading%20broadens%20our%20imagination%20by,the%20world%20through%20others'%20lives. 
Rebecca Eanes is the bestselling author of multiple books including Positive Parenting: An Essential Guide, The Positive Parenting Workbook, and The Gift of a Happy Mother. She is the grateful mom of two boys. 

 

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