How to Foster Creativity in a Child

Creative people tend to be interesting and artistic and they are good problem solvers too. Encouraging creativity in your children helps them to learn healthy ways of expression and to reach their potential. 

Follow these helpful Tips:

• 1
  Encourage your child to explore and question the world. Try to do away with preconceived notions of how things are, and allow your child to come up with answers and perceptions.
  
  
• 2
  Allow unorthodox ways of doing things. If your child thinks putting small tree branches in a vase is pretty, let him or her do it. If your child wants to incorporate cat food into an art project, get out of the way. If your child wants to shovel snow with a spatula, that is okay too.
  
  
  
• 3
  Go natural. In addition to conventional art supplies, give your child the opportunity to find art materials in nature. Leaves, sticks, shells, sand and pebbles make beautiful art, and they are free!
  
  
• 4
  Take your child to cultural events. Cultural events are excellent opportunities to expose children to the creative process and allow them to soak up some inspiration for their own endeavors.
  
  
• 5
  Read to your child every day. Books open up new worlds to children, and when you read to you child, he or she will very likely to become independent readers. Read poetry to your child. Characteristics such as cadence and rhythm help give children a better feel for the use and power of language.
  
  
• 6
  Expose your child to the world around you. Museums and galleries are wonderful, yet they are not the only places to expose your child to art. A wildflower garden, a bridge covered in graffiti and a sunset all give you the chance to discuss beauty with your child.