Creativity is an essential element and the main focus of organizations in any field because it is the key to success in nearly everything we do. Fostering this way of thinking in children from a young age becomes essential. But creativity is not just expressed through the arts and music. Additionally, it is crucial for intelligence in the sciences, mathematics, languages, naturalists, and even in the bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, social, and emotional domains.
After all, being creative makes it possible to be more adaptable and develop into a better problem solver, which makes one more capable of adjusting to technological advancements and making the most of new opportunities. Therefore, the following are some simple ways to encourage children to express their creativity.
1. Educate kids to ask questions.
Getting kids to wonder is one of the best ways to foster their capacity for original thought. Ask them why the sky is blue, why the ocean has waves but not the water in lakes or ponds, how gravity works, and other similar questions whenever you have the chance. Explaining such things to them can encourage their curiosity, which will help them become more creative and develop their problem-solving skills. American schools in Sharjah offer several activities that can help your child develop these skills.
2. Don't deny them the chance to demonstrate their intelligence.
Another crucial point to remember is that various types of intelligence can all be developed over time, even if the child isn't necessarily displaying them. Sometimes it is challenging to discern their innate propensity for a particular type of intelligence. Give them plenty of chances to display all forms of intelligence and identify what they are most adept at doing.
3. Teach Them Multiple Approaches to Every Problem.
As a parent or guardian, you must instill in your children that there are numerous approaches to problem-solving and various viewpoints from which to view everything, whether it be a math problem or an emotional issue they are currently experiencing in real life.
4. Boost their interest.
Children are innately curious and want to learn more about everything. Therefore, parents and teachers must offer engaging and pertinent cues that will further pique their curiosity and point them in the right direction. For instance, they can be exposed to a country's rich literature, art, and culture while becoming familiar with their underlying themes and implications.
5. Activity boxes can keep them occupied.
Thinking creatively or going beyond the obvious issues we frequently face is crucial to creative intelligence. They need some quiet time away from their electronic devices, which is difficult these days, to make it happen. You can encourage your kid to think outside the box by involving them in imaginative games and activities—the play-based educational resources aid in developing many abilities, including fine motor, self-expression, and coordination.
6. Promote leisure reading among kids.
Limit your children's exposure to TV and other screens, so they have more time for creative pursuits like reading, which promotes creativity by fostering thought activity. Your child can focus on learning new things, improve their comprehension and communication skills, and develop logical thought processes by reading. You can take them to the local library regularly and talk with them about their favorite authors, books, and characters. Observing your child's thought process through this will help you.
7. Allow them space and free time.
It's crucial to develop your skills methodically. But it's crucial to give children enough room to use their imaginations freely. Allow the child to spend a few free hours at home without any planned activities, so they can wander around aimlessly and let their imaginations run wild.
8. Avoid rewarding kids for being creative.
By encouraging your children to engage in any creative endeavor, you risk lowering their ideas' caliber and adaptability. So instead of encouraging your kids with rewards and incentives for the same activities, let them develop the creative skills they are naturally motivated to do.
9. Pose (real) questions.
Children should immerse themselves in projects, but it's also crucial to take a step back and consider what's happening. By probing kids about their projects, you can inspire reflection. I frequently ask, "How did you develop the idea for this project?" It's an honest question: I want to know, and it gets them thinking about what drove and inspired them.
What's been most surprising to you? is another of my favorite questions because it encourages respondents to think critically about their own experiences rather than describe the project. When a project fails, I frequently ask, "What did you want it to do?" After explaining their intentions, they frequently identify the problem independently, without needing additional help from me.
10. Express your thoughts.
Most parents and teachers are averse to conversating with kids about how they think. Maybe they don't want to admit it, but they occasionally have trouble thinking clearly or are uncertain. However, the best gift you could give children is to discuss your thought process with them. Many activities offered in British schools of Sharjah can lead your child to have a better conversation with anyone.
Children need to understand that thinking requires effort on everyone's part, including adults. Children can learn from hearing about your approaches to problem-solving and project completion. Children will be more receptive to reflecting on their thinking after hearing your reflections because they will better understand how to do it. Imagine the kids in your life as your creative thinking apprentices; you're teaching them to think creatively by exemplifying and explaining how you do it.
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