Encouraging Creativity in Children

As a kid, I used to love drawing.  My favorite Christmas presents were usually art related, e.g., a new sketch pad, pastel chalks and the like.  I spent HOURS drawing animals, people, landscapes, etc.  As I got older, my interest shifted to music.  I learned how to play the guitar and eventually joined a band!  I was able to continue releasing my creative tendencies through music.  I no longer do either and miss it greatly.  Both were a source of comfort and joy.  Oh, I intend to do them, but never seem to find the time with raising kids, working, housekeeping, etc.  You know how it is.

While cruising the net the other day, I came across a discussion on creativity.  One story I found really struck me.  It goes like this:  A teacher puts a dot of chalk on a chalkboard and asks a classroom of sophomores what they see.  They respond with the obvious -- a chalk dot.  She points out to them that she asked the same question of a group of kindergartners the day before and elicited responses such as a squashed bug, the top of a telephone pole, an owl's eye and the like.

So what happened between kindergarten and high school that so drastically changed the kids ability to give anything but the obvious answer?  Where along the line does the ability to think so freely become so subdued?  I was really discouraged to think about this point.  I look at my kids and am amazed by their creativity.  I had read somewhere that there is a strong correlation between creativity and intelligence.  This from the stand point that creativity encourages ones ability to problem solve and again to "think outside the box."  Think about the likes of Bill Gates and the Wright brothers.  Now some would conclude that they are more analytical, but I would say that the ability to develop computer software for lay people and to get a hunk of wood/metal up in the sky must come from individual who are able to think outside the box.

So have I gotten you thinking about creativity and its importance yet?  What can you do to foster creativity in your child?   I want to share an idea that has resulted in countless masterpieces in our home.  It all started when my daughter's preschool teacher said she was struggling with scissor cutting.  I was horrified!  Had I been ignoring her fine motor skills?  My son had no problem with scissor cutting!  Yes, I over reacted like any insecure mother would.   I realized shortly thereafter that our art supplies were limited to say the least and were not in an easily accessible area.  I also realized that I kept a VERY tight reign on the scissors (for safety reasons, but also for fear of the dreaded, home spun hair cut...nothing better than no bangs for a class photo).

The result of my increased awareness of my daughter's poor scissor cutting skill was the development of "The Creation Station."  What's this you ask? In an attempt to foster fine motor skills, I went out and bought a rubbermaid storage unit with drawers and wheels and placed it in a corner in our dining room.  I also bought a couple of smaller containers with drawers and placed it on top of the other unit.  I then filled it with a bunch of arts and craft materials.  Voilla!  The Creation Station!  Here's what's in ours:

• crayons
• washable markers
• washable stamps with washable ink pads
• playdough and all the accessories
• a variety of paper, e.g., white, drawing, writing, note pads, finger painting, etc.
• gel pens and black paper
• child safe scissors
• magazines and flyers (for cutting out pictures and making collages)
• glue and glue sticks
• tape (never lasts long, hmmm....)
• drawing pencils
• paints, brushes, smocks
• colored chalk
• odds and ends, e.g., empty toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, matchstick boxes, pom poms, fabric swatches, popsicle sticks, felt, foam pieces, etc.

Since putting the Creation Station in the dining room, it has been used EVERY DAY!  Just today, they both made wind socks using empty paper towel holders, glue, glitter, ribbon and pipe cleaners.  The products are proudly hanging on the front porch for all to see.  While I originally put it together to address fine motor skills, it has resulted in increased opportunities for creativity and self-expression through art.  It has been a wonderful thing.

One thing that I must say about art and young children that is very important -- it is about PROCESS not PRODUCT!  By that I mean, the process itself is where learning takes place.  Exercising their little hands, thinking about what to add next, what colors to use -- just think about all the different developmental processes involved! 

Here are some tips to encourage creativity in young kids:

• Focus on the process not the product!  For example, "you sure did use a lot of colors!" or "it looked like you had a lot of fun making that picture."
• When your little one says "Look at what I drew," don't tell them what YOU think it is (because we are often wrong!).  Instead, ask them to tell you about what they drew.  This often opens the door for even more imagination and creativity.  Oh the stories that I have heard by asking kids this open ended question!
• Keep art supplies available and easily accessible (keeping age and safety in mind of course).
• Don't fix their projects or pictures!  If they only give the dog in their picture one leg, than so be it.
• Give them positive feedback, e.g., "That looks great sweetie!"  Balance it with self-affirming statements as well, e.g., "You sure worked hard on that.  You must be proud of yourself and the fine job that you did."  This helps kids learn how to validate themselves.

Do you have a creation station? What things do you do to foster your child's creativity?  Post any tips or suggestions!