Art is such an essential part of life, but many times it is not valued. We want our kids to be successful, so many times we find that we steer kids to things that seem to be more practiced and predictable instead of creative because we hope that this will set them up for success. Math and reading are valued traits, but we forget all that kids can gain from just letting them be creative.
Why do so many discourage creativity?
Many times, when we allow kids to be creative they end up making a mess. As parents and as adults we don’t want to have to deal with it. If they paint, they might get it all over the table, their hands, clothes, and of course the paintbrush. Depending on their age they will not be good at cleaning it up.
Scissors can be dangerous so instead of letting children learn how to use scissors, which is a long process, we might find that many will cut the papers for them. I think the creative part is what they do with the paper, but the whole process is important.
This allows them to learn not only about art but also how to clean up after themselves. It will take time and they will not do a good job at the beginning, but they will get there.
Choices
As a child grows it is important that they start making choices. However, when they are small, we need to, as adults, make sure these choices are safe and appropriate. Allowing them to be creative in their art is a great way of giving them the space to be independent and control a situation that is safe for them.
Problem-Solving
When you are allowed to be creative you are forced to solve problems. Things are not always going to turn out how you thought. If you use a new medium or way of doing something you’re not always going to get the same result. This means kids will have to think outside the box in order to find a solution. Experimenting is another way that they can achieve this. Remember it is the process that is important in any creative project. Many kids will want their end goal to be perfect but learning that art is subjective and getting there is sometimes the most important part.
Skills
Not all skills you gain from doing art will only benefit art. You can gain verbal skills through acting or performing. Hand-eye coronation is such an important skill for young kids to learn.
With the increasing technology and everything having instant gratification, having ways to increase attention span is becoming even more important. Having a creative project that they will do over a long period of time can help with this.
Children are also learning how to feel and express their emotions. Emotions are complicated and so can burst out in unhealthy ways. Using art, whether it is pottery or even baking can be a healthy way to express big emotions like anger or joy.
Ideas
The community will have many places that you can be a part of that allow kids to be creative. In Taylor County 4-H we have clover buds that focus on being creative in a productive way. You can also gain skills and knowledge along the way. There is also freedom in culinary and sewing in how you pick your fabric and the ability to make mistakes. Over the summer there is theater camp, which gives all kids the ability to be big and loud.
At home is another great way to get kids creative. Just allow them to follow their curiosity. Let them jump in that puddle and make mud pies. Sure, there will be a mess you must clean, but they are learning about gravity and different textures.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money either. Go outside and collect leaves, sticks, pinecones, and rocks. Follow an idea like leaf printing or just let them go all out in making whatever they want. You can even find a way of using single-use plastics to make something cool. Building blocks or Legos can be an investment, but it can get them focusing on a big project for hours at a time.
Anything that draws their interest can be a tool for them to be creative. Don’t limit yourself to only thinking about art as painting or drawing. Though those are fun and exciting things to do too. Being creative is all about the child, don’t let that deter you as a parent or an adult in their life to not engage with their creativity. Being with them and asking questions can be a great tool for pushing them even further and can be a great bonding experience.
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