Ladies Who Launch

by Lynn Toomey,
Ladies Who Launch member, Boston

If your child’s idea of working with her hands is manipulating the remote, then it’s time to consider giving your child some creative play time and taking a few easy steps to foster a lifelong enjoyment of creative and intellectual endeavors.

Certainly if you have a child who already loves to draw, paint, and create, involve them in the arts. It’s proven that visual art is critical to a child’s development and fosters academic achievement throughout life. However, there’s no need to send your child to a formal art class in order to make creativity an integral part of their life, nor do they have to show some early talent in art in order to reap the rewards of exposure to art. Simply make your home a creative, colorful environment where exploration and curiosity are embraced. This is when the “magic” of creativity really happens. You don’t have to consider yourself creative or artistic in order to do this for your child.

As a mother of three children, two of whom are twin 5-year-olds, I make sure we take time almost every day to do something creative. Creativity doesn’t have to be limited to art-based activities, nor should it take a lot of time or effort on your part. In our house, I seize every opportunity I can to encourage my children to put a “creative spin” on literally anything we’re doing. Whether we’re getting dressed, arranging the dinner table, driving to the doctor’s office, making breakfast, or thinking of ways to organize the toy closet, I’m constantly challenging them to be creative in how they live, work, and play.

Here’s some proven ideas to inspire you:

Be an example. Let your own creativity flourish (or bring it out of hiding). All of us have a child-like curiosity, enthusiasm, and “crazy” ideas. Share them with your children. Be open to new experiences, and share your ideas with your child. Share the excitement and take delight in what you can create together.

Access. Give your child lots of accessible art tools in your home. These need not be expensive or sophisticated. Just doodling and scribbling is critical to your child’s creative development. Scribbling is the oldest and most important communication tool known to mankind. Scribbling is the basis for all other learning to come. Even before a child can talk or walk, they can scribble. Set out basic art supplies like paper, paints, glue, and child-safe scissors and you’ll have a very happy and creative child.

A mess and a masterpiece. Give your child an area where it’s okay to get a little messy. Parents who fret over an art mess can turn a child off to artistic endeavors. You cannot possibly be creative when you’re worried about getting crayon on the table.

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