TURN OFF THE REEL - TURN ON THE REAL

                               TURN OFF THE REEL - TURN ON THE REAL 

The question - Can creativity be fostered or hampered by adults in children?

The answer – A resounding YES

In the ever-changing world scenario, children need to have creative skills that are required to cope with challenges in these demanding, technologically driven times. I lay emphasis on the term ‘technologically driven’ as our very young are undoubtedly addicted to devices with unlimited screen hours which is not only detrimental to their physical health, speech and language development, social interactions, cognitive progression but also to their creativity and imagination. The very limited number of hours they get to interact with nature, real objects, real people and real situations hampers their independent thinking and thus deprives them of the vital aspect of development and learning.

Inspiring creativity in kids is the responsibility of adults. Our kids need to be innovators, critical thinkers, problem solvers, and valuable global citizens contributing to the growth and development of the world and everything in it. Most adults have experienced difficulty in thinking out of the box, acting creatively and bringing innovation in their work - the reason being - as kids creativity was not attended to neither fostered in them. They were not provided with opportunities that would bring forth imagination and novelty. Therefore, as adults, we need to commit ourselves towards the attainment of this vital skill in our young.

How do we promote creativity in our young? Here are a few takeaways which if practiced in its true spirit will yield remarkable results:

1.    Turn off the reel – turn on the real: Switch off that device, get up from your couches, go out of your homes and enjoy the outdoors. When your child sees and experiences the natural, he becomes a lover of nature and we all know that nature inspires creativity, instills a sense of contemplation and exploration. A simple walk may turn out to be an adventure for your little one, for instance a caterpillar opens a world of imagination, questions and expressions.

2.    Don’t crush their imagination: Kids have an unlimited sense of imagination. They have the potential of thinking of the weirdest, funniest and the silliest of things. When you happen to ask them about their opinion or an idea, they may come up with ideas that may not make sense to you at all. However, do not brush off their contribution as something ridiculous, do not mock or disregard their ideas. This may dampen their self-esteem, crush their imagination, discourage them from thinking a new and most importantly limit their thinking.

3.    Lead them to the desired outcomes: No matter how absurd their ideas may be, lead them to the outcome that you desire by asking ‘what, why, how, when and who questions’. This enables them to think practically, feasibly and find satisfaction in being a constructive member of the family. This will exercise their grey cells and will motivate them to be independent, pragmatic thinkers.

4.    Every child should own a creative space: Dedicate a corner in your child’s room to express his creativity. This space provides the child with the independence to unleash his creativity. The space may look to be an eye sore but respect the space. It is his kingdom of expression, he owns it, so let him rule over the space. It is not only a physical space but a mental space, a space of pride where the child’s ideas, imaginations and fancy reign with complete authority.

5.    Every artwork is a masterpiece: A flower may not look like a flower from the remotest angle, a tree may be black, an apple may be blue, however, it is his creation and he has put in immense effort and hard work to create it. It gives him great pride and nurtures his self-esteem. Make your praise genuine and compliment the part of the art work that really stands out. It need not be something outstanding or special but as simple as the choice of colours, or his ability to colour within the lines. As you praise, slip in a recommendation that allows him to think of doing things differently. Henceforth, every time he creates, he creates with more understanding, reason and flair, thus, gradually improving with every attempt.

6.    Brainstorm ideas and suggestions: Provide your child with real-life situations and ask him to think of solutions. Such exercises will help him to overcome the future life challenges awaiting him as an adult for e.g if one of the siblings looks sad, ask him for the reason and solutions; or when rearranging the child’s room and decorating it, ask for his opinion and suggestions. Let them know that their opinion matters, that in turn help in developing their innovative problem solving skills.

7.    Choose the right toys: Not every toy fosters creativity and imagination. Most of them are purely for entertainment purposes. Choose toys that allow free play and are open ended, allowing the child endless possibilities of building and creating without the constraints of following rigid rules. Toys such as dolls, puppets, 3D models of humans and animals provide numerous opportunities to nurture imagination and fancy role plays. Puzzles, LEGOs, play dough, construction and manipulative toys and blocks do not impose a limit on the child’s thinking but opens an entire new world of creation, innovation, novelty and production.

8.    Creativity is not restricted to art and craft: Creativity is not restricted to art and craft but is extended to include music, dance, and drama. Be attentive, and learn about your child’s interest and provide him with the right material, resources and tools. If your child is inclined towards drama and acting, provide him with costumes, props, tools and a DIY stage in the corner of your house. These may be inexpensive, old, discarded items from your backyard, from the attic or from your store. Recycling the old stuff is a lesson in itself. You are leading by example and setting the tone of creativity, imagination by being resourceful and thinking out of the box.

9.    Welcome the mess: Do not frown when your child makes a mess while creating. Even in the mess, the child sees a wonder, he imagines and creates. Messy play is a way of relaxing, unwinding and a soothing activity for children. Finger paint, gloop and slime, paint and natural elements such as sand, water, ice etc, are a few of the items used for messy play. It does not only provide children with enriching sensory experiences but also with a treasure of language and vocabulary.

10. Read books: Read aloud to your child from books that bring characters to life. By visualizing the characters, events and the settings; by asking about the possible end to a story, you are inculcating in your child the skill of solving the unsolved and unraveling the threads of mystery and enigma.

Creativity is all about self-expression. When kids have the freedom to express themselves without any fear of being judged or criticized, they grow into emotionally healthy individuals who are aware of their individual unique self, respect diversity, and appreciate and contribute to the world around them positively.