Children are born naturally full of creativity. In fact, if something characterizes our species and our puppies, it is that overflowing creativity understood as experimentation, imagination and ability to give solutions to new problems in new ways.
However, it is also true that we ourselves bent on things to do "as they should do" or the pressures of the education system, sometimes numb that innate creativity. I propose today some ideas to promote children's natural creativity that you can, surely, take to your homes and classrooms.
Let him draw and paint freely
Drawing is not mandatory, nor is it necessary for all children to love painting, much less at the same age. But it is a form of expression and enormous enjoyment, as long as we do not force times and themes, much less force them to copy or color in a predetermined way and without leaving marked lines. There will be time for children to master techniques and get into naturalistic drawing. When they are little let them paint and draw freely, with varied materials and surfaces and without judging his work.
Approach different materials and textures
When I speak of materials and textures I do not specifically refer to the plastic or artistic expression, but to all material, that is safe, that is within your reach. Young children learn a lot from their senses, and touch is one of them and must be attended with a wealth of experiences that will make them discover how diverse the world is and how it works. Earth, water, mud, fabrics, metal, wood, cork and everything you can imagine, put it at your disposal.
Embrace diversity
The world is very diverse and knowing that enriches them, helps them to think differently, to discover new things and ways of living. Go with your children to fairs, exhibitions, museums and activities that focus on interculturality. Embrace diversity.
Let him play in disguise
The costume helps the child experience new roles and situations, encouraging their creativity in the game and in life. It is a way to express your wishes and discover yourself capable of being what you want to be. Moreover, I would tell you that allow them to dress up what they want and when they want. Even if you want to go to the street in disguise, or to a party or to your grandparents' house, go ahead, it doesn't hurt anyone and we are giving them recognition of their own personality.
Read it, read it, read it
Yes, read him a lot, readings of all kinds, stories, comics, magazines, fragments of novels, books of scientific dissemination ... a child who is read discovers the wonderful experience that is reading and everything you can find in books. It doesn't matter even that he already knows how to read, keep reading to him. And another important thing, let him choose his readings. Suggest, start, but never force.
Take him to museums of all kinds
Museums are spaces full of vitality and knowledge, true treasures of human knowledge available to everyone. There are many and all are worth it. Visit with the children museums of science, ethnology, anthropology, history, painting, costume ... It is not necessary that they are children's museums, as long as you respect the one who gets bored and wants to leave or just wants to be there for a little while, they will love it .
Talk about scientific discoveries naturally
Children want to understand the world and how it works. Science is the answer. It is not necessary for everything to be discovered by themselves, there are answers that we can help them find. Do experiments. Talk about scientific discoveries, of the great men who perform them, of the mysteries that we still have not solved. Watch documentaries or series on scientific content, there are also children if the more elaborate tires them.
Tell creator stories
Tell stories of great creators: The life of inventors, writers, painters, architects, travelers and discoverers is a huge source of inspiration that will make them love that creativity to be deployed and passionate about their own. If you don't know them, go ahead, start now. It will help you a lot to discover them so you can tell them.
Cultivate your emotional intelligence
The emotional intelligence It is an important part of creativity, because it will help us dare to do something different and achieve our crazy dreams. Self-esteem and self-confidence is a fundamental part of the creative process. Knowing how to feel ourselves, naming our emotions and treating others as we would like to be treated, communicating and setting limits if they harm us is indispensable.
Avoid judging your results
When the child experiences and believes the most valuable thing is the process, therefore, avoid judging your results and don't rate or criticize their achievements. He may ask for your opinion, and share with him the joy he has lived and what he has learned, but do not highlight the "defects of form" and much less rate your work or put notes. Congratulate him, encourage him for what he has done, but do not leave him the responsibility of doing things "well" as others believe they should be.
I leave these ideas to you encourage children's creativity and I get to work to give ideas to adults who live with children to be more creative yourselves and accompany them in that way.
