Inspiring Creativity in Kids is Easy

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Kids are mostly pretty creative anyway, they just need the right environment to flourish

. A child's environment (both physical and social) can have a lifelong effect on the way they think, act and believe. Knowing this, active parents can take steps to help their kids develop creative thinking. However a lot of environmental factors exist that discourage children's creative thought and which in turn stunt their mental development. Here are some examples:

Not being listened to can be one of the biggest challenges to developing an active mind in your child. When the child learns that their ideas are not wanted they will just stop coming up with new ones and stay quiet. This doesn't mean they are thinking to themselves. It just means their mind is blank. A blank mind is not a creative mind and likely never will be.

Solution: We all get busy and don't have time to listen to our kids sometimes. The important thing is just to listen more often than not. Make sure your child understands that what they think and say is important. If you're busy, tell them that and ask them about what they wanted to say later. And remember, kids have very poor communication skills, you may have to model effective conversation for them.

Passive media consumption is the enemy of inspiring creativity. By passive, we mean watching, listening or playing media without any type of thought or interaction. A little media consumption is good for kids, it helps them acculturate to a society that is increasingly defined by its media. However, tv, games and social media are like ice cream. They are sometimes foods, not all the time foods. Children staring blankly at a screen and having their thoughts dictated to them is not going to help them learn to think creatively for themselves.

Solution: TV, computer games etc are sometimes activities, not all the time activities. Don't be a couch potato and your child will follow your example. Use more interactive media, like computer games that can be played while socializing, interactive books that can be read together or media that teaches different activities, like exercise or dancing or craft or music. Once you start to look out for active media types you'll find that they are everywhere.

Lack of active and creative play opportunities can be a real drag on a child's ability to develop mentally. In the absence of all stimulation the mind grows dull and lethargic. Even the most creative people need something to inspire them, some activity to perform, or some task to tackle. A dull play environment makes for a dull child.

Solution: Fill your house with cool stuff that kids can use to engage in active, creative and social play. Instead of the latest computer game, pick up some puzzles and board games. Craft supplies, like colored paper, pens, glue etc are perennial favorites. There are plenty of creative toys available, everything from knitting kits to science kits to outdoor sporting gear. The advantage of spending on these types of toys is that they keep your child active and creative. When they get used to this sort of play, games and TV will have less appeal and you won't need to limit TV time. Your kids will do it for themselves. How good would that be?

And now the most important issue of all. Role Models. You can provide all the creative toys and opportunities you can and still have a child who does nothing and says nothing. It can be confusing for parents who think they have done all they can but they are missing one vital ingredient: the role model. Children (and adults) rarely take up new behaviors before they have seen someone else doing it. If you want a child to take up a new activity, you 'll get nowhere if you just tell them to do it. Take that child to a place where they can see other kids having fun doing that activity and they'll nag you to let them. Creativity is the same. Have active conversations. Make and build things at home. Read and talk about what you have read. Have creative play sessions with your child. Show your child what it means and how much fun it is to be creative and they will do it. Show your child how to sit on the couch watching tv and they will do that.

Inspiring creativity in your child is your choice. Taking up this type of active parenting may mean a lifestyle change, but isn't that a good thing? To change to a family environment of quality time, interesting conversation, and creative play is a parent's dream come true.. You could have that dream home life too, with just a little effort. And you'll be building the foundation of your child's future happiness and success. Now that's what I call worth it.

Inspiring Creativity in Kids is Easy

By: Smartbook Smartkid

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