How to foster your child's creativity when you aren't creative yourself
“Creativity: the use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness. The freest form of self expression.”
Children are innately innovators, with oodles of imagination and creativity. However, these creative juices begin to run dry if children are not given the space and resources to have fun and create. Creativity needs to be developed and nurtured. But not everyone has access to local art classes for kids. So how can you help your child’s creativity to grow and flourish when you don’t feel creative yourself? Here are some suggestions:
Enrol your child in art classes for kids online
At the Artory, award-winning Australian artist Anne Smerdon teaches art classes for kids online. Anne’s art courses teach children to draw and paint but most importantly to have fun and feel confident in the process. They push each child’s skill levels without making them feel uncomfortable. Often parents are amazed at what their kids have created in Anne’s online art classes. And the best bit? Anne’s unique style of teaching means there’s no help from grown up’s required (Anne tries and tests all her classes with her Kingscliff students before she records her online classes, so she knows where most students are likely to make mistakes and she adjusts her online classes accordingly, so your kids have the most successful and fun art experience possible). The Artory art classes for kids use basic supplies, available at most art stores or discount stores, so it’s never been easier to foster your child’s creativity and imagination. If you’re not sure if the online art courses are right for your child, why not try Anne’s free sample classes online.
FREE ONLINE ART CLASSES FOR KIDS
2. Make a ‘creative space’ at home
Making a little space where children know they can go to create can help foster their creativity. Perhaps the end of the kitchen table, a little desk in the corner of the lounge room, or a little bag to take in the car. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just a spot where your little one can spread out and have fun. The art materials can be simple and inexpensive too - paper, cereal boxes, coloured pencils, and paints – the brighter the better! It’s about exploring and trying new things because what really helps to foster your child’s creativity is the experience of making things and expressing themselves, not the perfect masterpiece (source) .
Photo by Sigmund
3. Visit Art Galleries or Make Your Own
Visiting an Art Gallery and seeing all the different paintings and colours can be a very inspiring outing, especially if children’s activities or exhibits are running. Chatting to your child and asking questions like
“what do you think the artist was thinking/trying to say when they painted this”,
“How does this painting make you feel”,
“What is your favourite painting and why?”
“Let’s go home and try to paint it!”
Photo by Photoholgic
Overall, it doesn’t matter if you as the parent think you are creative or not, creative children desire to simply just enjoy the act of creating and have their work seen and valued. Bringing us to our next suggestion…. creating an art gallery at home! With all the wonderful masterpieces floating around, why not create your own gallery at home? Perhaps you could host a home ‘Art Gallery Tour’ and invite family to come and walk through your home, seeing all the beautiful pieces on display.
4. Where to find more ideas and inspiration?
Not sure where to begin? Needing some inspiration? That’s okay, there are plenty of places to find it.
the Artory’s free online art classes for kids a great way to get those paint brushes going
A nature walk can be very inspiring with the birds, flowers, leaves, clouds, different colours, and shapes. Take some photos and paint them back at home.
Check out the Artory’s Pinterest board for ideas or jump onto our Instagram page for examples of the art pieces our art classes for kids (and adults) are completing.
We hope these suggestion inspire you to foster your child’s creativity, to see the thrill and happiness radiating from their little faces as they present to you their next completed masterpiece, full of self-expression and imagination.
“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort”