Children are naturally creative. And, it turns out, that creativity can be critical in this overall development. To be sure, growth and development for children is a complex process and many factors can impact how that process proceeds. Outdoor play, for example, can have a wide variety of long-lasting benefits for kids. So too can emphasizing art and creativity in your child’s everyday life. 

This might be surprising for some parents. The value of academic skills, such as math and literacy, is widely known. There are good reasons for this, of course. But creative thinking and artistic expressions are critical to the human experience. They help us understand and process the world. In children, art and creative activities can help your child develop problem-solving skills, emotional understanding, and more. This can lead to developmental benefits that have a lasting and positive impact for your child.

Creative Expression Supports Emotional Growth

Creative thinking often begins with creative expression. And creative expression can often encourage cognitive growth and development. Younger children, for example, gain experience understanding materials and learning the differences between colors. Older kids can learn more advanced techniques and even start learning about color theory. 

In addition to this type of intellectual growth, creative and artistic expression can encourage emotional growth. That’s because art and creativity require a certain amount of self awareness. Asking a child to draw what they are feeling or to assign a color to an emotion requires them to progress and digest those feelings and emotions. Regular use of creative expression can help foster these skills.

In this way, creative activities from coloring to dancing to playing music to drawing can help encourage social and emotional learning. As your child grows, they will develop stronger and more intense emotions, and this type of emotional self-awareness can become exceptionally valuable and beneficial.

Art and Creative Expression Builds Problem Solving Skills

Whether your child is young and trying to choose the right color of playdoh or older and attempting to master 3-point perspective, art can help build essential problem solving skills. In no small part, that’s because in art, there’s no single right way to solve a problem. Children are free to use divergent thinking skills and develop unique solutions. And in that search for solutions, they are learning how to tackle large and significant problems even if it doesn’t feel like it.

How to Encourage Creativity at Home and in School

Sometimes modern schools can feel like they favor a search for one right answer over the creative process. But there are ways parents can encourage creativity at home:

• Ensure supplies are always on hand and accessible: If your child loves to color, make sure crayons and markers are always around. If your child likes music, see about ensuring they have access to an instrument or musical recordings.

• Encourage your child’s creative endeavors: There’s something to be said for putting their drawings and coloring up on the refrigerator. Tell your child they’re doing a great job and be as supportive as you can. If your child wants to try a new creative activity, encourage them to try!

• Make time for art: Set aside time for your child to be creative. This can be a great family activity, too!

• Encourage creative approaches to homework: There doesn’t always have to be one answer to homework problems. Help your child find creative ways to tackle assignments and projects. This can help build creative problem solving skills that your child can use in a wide variety of academic settings.

• Model creativity: Try to exercise your own artistic and creative skills in your everyday life.

This list is not exhaustive, and every family is different. Work with your child to discover what works best for them and for your family.

How to Avoid Perfectionism

Of course, there is a tendency for kids to want to do things “right.” In some cases, this is motivated by academic considerations. In others, they might be searching for an adult’s approval. Whatever the cause, perfectionism can hamper and diminish the creative process. And while you can’t prevent this in totality, there are some things you can do to help mitigate this feeling. 

Generally, this can be as easy as making sure to praise your child’s art no matter how it turns out. Find something specific you like about each piece of art they create, and make sure to call it out to your child. You can also emphasize the joy of the process. In many cases, the end result is not important if the process is enjoyable. And make sure to give your child encouragement and support no matter how “good” at art they may be.

Art and creativity can help enrich your child’s life and their development at the same time. It’s not always easy to incorporate, but remember that most children are naturally quite creative. All you really need to do is make space for it and encourage it.

If you have questions about your child’s development, talk to their pediatrician during their regular wellness visit. If your child is already a patient at Children’s Healthcare Associates, you can make an appointment at our Chicago or Northbrook offices today!