Naturally Creative
I can’t draw a straight line without a ruler. So when I see someone who can paint a portrait of someone without a flaw, my “respect meter” goes off the scale. It just amazes me to see such talent.
I used to think that some people are creative, and some are not. As I have matured, I have realized that in fact we all have the capacity and potential to be creative, but in different ways. I now understand, for instance, that I have my creative side, even if I am not good at drawing. I easily see connections and relationships of words, I enjoy writing, have written some songs, and even won a dance contest one time.
My Wife is artistic and has a natural ability to “see” compatible colors, and match shapes and things of different sizes, gifts which make her a natural interior designer. I have enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes even as I appreciate these innate gifts.
But the single most important factor in my discovery is having seven children. We have always encouraged our children to express their creative side. We praise their “works of art” even though they may not appear prodigious at first. We don’t have a TV subscription, but rather encourage them to read, play games, build things, do a project, or learn a skill during their free time. The results have been astounding. In this environment they effortlessly and spontaneously generate ideas and never seem to tire of learning. Here are a couple of things I have learned which can help you to let the flowers of innovation blossom in your children:
- Acknowledge that we are all creative in our own way. Start looking at your sons or daughters and say to yourself, “he or she has a huge potential to create and it is my job to nurture it”.
- Encourage exploration. Let your kids draw, even it if begins with tracing, or rubbings. Some may draw better, some will be better working with their hands, yet others are the designer types.
- Celebrate their work. Rembrandt was not born in a day. Post their drawings, display their Lego creations, give them awards and praise for a job well done.
- Commit to development. Once you discover a natural gift, help your Son or Daughter to become more skillful, and set aside time for practice.
- Generate momentum. You may not have seven kids, but one of the dynamics at work in our household is that the children feed off each other’s gifts and readily learn from each other. The same could be achieved by inviting some of your children’s friends to your house to do these kinds of things together, or by sending them to a class.
- Reduce rivalries. Our experience is that TV and computer time needs to be monitored and restricted greatly. Some shows or games can enhance creativity when done in a balanced and guided way. But their use should be limited in order to allow for a rich imagination to be cultivated.
Unleashing our creative side can be an exhilarating and lifetime pursuit. Nurturing these gifts and skills in our children can also be one of the most rewarding part of our role as parents. It is never too early neither should it be too late to start. I have given you a few ideas, but how you move forward is really up to you. Be creative with it : )