5 Tips for Greater Creativity & Connection
by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.
605 words





2.       Practice gratitude. You may not automatically glimpse the link between gratitude and creativity in bloom, but it’s a strong one. Soule describes it this way: “When we feel grateful, we feel full—full of love, full of inspiration, full of ideas, and full of creative spirit.” The Creative Family recommends writing thank-you cards, writing a gratitude alphabet, and creating joy jars (decorating a jar as a gift for someone special and filling it with positive messages).

3.       Prioritize unstructured time. Unstructured time allows children to engage. Dr. Markham says “Kids need practice with unstructured time, or they will never learn to manage it.” She suggests parents focus on play and process, not productivity.

Unstructured time can be entertaining. Choose toys promoting creative play, such as Lego bricks and blocks. Make basic instruments available at home (hand drums, whistles, maracas, harmonicas, recorders, triangles) so as Soule writes “they’ll naturally discover and play with them as they do with their toys.”

4.       Expose them to art. Think of activities close to home. “Take your child to an older cousin’s school play or high school art exhibit. Point out art in local coffee shops and take a minute to listen to street musicians before going on your way” suggests O’Connor.

Soule suggests hosting Art Night with friends. Provide art supplies, magazines and catalogs to make collages. “The benefits are tremendous for our little ones, who can create alongside the adults in their lives. And what adult couldn’t use a little inspiration from children?”

5.       Head into the Kitchen. Soule recommends Fairy Tale Feasts by Jane Yolen (2009) featuring 20 stories, each with at least one recipe (the recipe for “Very French Toast” accompanies the French folktale “Diamonds and Toads.”). Another fun option is Georgeanne Brennan’s Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook (2006) filled with silly recipes for Cat in the Hat pudding to Moose Juice. (You’ve got to love that the pages of this cookbook are laminated!)

Children are naturally imaginative, so in addition to these ideas, be mindful of obstacles to creativity like rules to “stay within the lines.” Dr. Markham says remind kids it is perfectly okay to be artsy. “Make it okay for your child to be out of step with the norms of her peer group, to be unique, to see the world through her own glasses. To develop her individuality, she needs your support against the pressures of popular culture.”

Creativity’s pay-off is huge. If improved academics and deeper connection were not reward enough, all of these nurturing experiences are pure fun!

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