How to Provide an Environment that Fosters Creativity

When we think about creativity we usually refer to music or art, but creativity is also essential for science, math, and even social and emotional intelligence. Creative children are more flexible and better problem solvers, which makes them more able to adapt and deal with change as well as take advantage of new opportunities. Creative thinking will serve them far beyond their childhood years. Here are some simple ideas how to encourage your children to be creative:

• Allow kids the freedom and autonomy to explore their ideas and do what they want, don't be so bossy
• When your child asks for help solving a problem don't answer immediately. Instead, ask your child what he or she thinks, encourage them to think outside the box
• Let your kids get messy. Send your child outside when it rains to stomp in puddles, play with the mud, and do what makes him or her happy
• Try to stop caring about the achievements, emphasize the process rather the than product. Ask your children if they had fun or what did they like about the activity
• Let your children disagree with you. Encourage them to find more than one route to a solution, and more than one solution to a problem

Click here for more ideas on how to spark your child's creative thinking.