The Value of Creativity
No matter what life or career path you wish your child to lead and achieve, it is important to instill creativity and critical thinking early.
A popular misconception claims that careers in the STEM field do not require independent creativity or imaginative thought. While these fields do rely heavily on analytical thinking and concrete, traditional, problem-solving skills, they also depend heavily on discovering new ideas and pathways.
Here are some ways to set up your child for creative and innovative success.
Get them started on puzzles, early
Puzzles like Sudoku and strategy/learning games are essential for a child’s early intellectual growth. Be sure that any toys or games that your child plays, particularly online, hold meaning and require thought. This doesn’t mean that the games can’t be fun! Try games that contain beautiful graphics and are strategy-based.
These games may include aspects of entrepreneurship or business management, but in the form of more kids-friendly and approachable themes, like running a cafe or pet shop.
Try some traditional art
Don’t be afraid to get your and your kids’ hands dirty! Get them some paint, crayons, and markers and get doodling. Try pictionary to incorporate thinking critically.
Get some air-dry clay for clean at-home fun, or try a beginner’s or painter’s pottery class. Getting hands-on experience promotes dexterity as well as creativity. Have fun with these activities and use them as bonding times as well.
Get to cooking or baking
Similar to traditional art, cooking and baking mixes together different ingredients to make something new. Incorporating recipes and ratios into the activity can introduce your child to science and math as well.
As with any cooking or baking activity, be careful of safety concerns. Keep sharp and hot objects away from young children; allow them to mix and measure ingredients instead.
Introduce music
While playing and reading music has a correlation with high IQ and critical thinking skills, getting your child involved in music can be very costly. Try finding local music classes that offer introduction courses, instead of investing heavily in private lessons.
Alternative instruments including recorders and keyboards can offer less expensive options. Learning to read music, in any clef, is equivalent to learning another language, with an additional creative layer.
Promote creative storymaking
Reading and teaching concrete areas of study are important for your child’s schooling and overall intellect. However, be sure to keep fantasy and fiction novels and stories accessible as well.
Fields of science are only progressed through new techniques and ideas being explored. Learning tried and true methods is essential for progressing any field, but so is learning to believe in what is currently impossible.
Try reading fantasy stories to your children and asking them to create their own stories as well. Whether it’s through writing or playacting, any original creation is positive for your child’s growth.
Start now
No matter what activity or vein of creativity you choose to pursue, it’s important to start your child’s creative journey as soon as possible. Creativity, like any other quality, improves with practice and exercise. So get started on your next free day.
