(NAPSI)—Fostering a child’s courage to express creativity is perhaps
one of the most important goals that parents can set for themselves.
Understanding Creativity
Often, when people think of creativity, they think of the arts, but it
starts with play early in life and leads to other things as children grow.
It’s through play that children begin to develop their creative
muscles, whether with blocks, dolls or action figures. Beyond play, kids may
find creativity in the way they play sports, clean their room, prepare their
food or do their schoolwork.
According to experts at The Genius of Play™, a national movement to
raise awareness about play’s critical role in child development and
encourage more play in children’s lives, creativity can help build
confidence, flexibility, individuality and mental agility, and even contribute
to better physical health.
Expert Advice
Dr. Erik Fisher, Ph.D. and The Genius of Play expert, believes the best
way to foster children’s creativity is to encourage them to try things
and not feel afraid to fail. Failure itself is an amazing learning experience
as it helps children develop tenacity and perseverance, which are some of the
most important skills they’ll need later in life. At the same time,
parents should be aware of their own emotions, attitudes and beliefs and be
willing to create with their child. Many times, parents want their kids to
“fit in” and don’t realize they’re stifling
creativity.
To help ensure that creativity is part of your child’s play routine,
Dr. Fisher suggests:
• Don’t focus on just the arts. Play has a key role in helping
develop children’s creative muscles. As children develop creativity in
one area, it often extends to other areas.
• Help your kids stretch their creativity muscles and yours by
experimenting with many different kinds of toys and playful activities.
Trying new things lets kids discover what they like and explore their own
talents.
• Observe and appreciate your children’s uniqueness and
celebrate how they do things differently.
• There’s no better way to dry up creativity than with
criticism. Try to find constructive ways to give feedback and seek ways to be
positive.
• Help your child see failure through play as a learning experience,
not a time to quit.
Learn More
You can get ideas on how to enhance creativity and other developmental
benefits, expert advice and play resources at www.TheGeniusofPlay.org, @GeniusOf Play on Facebook and
on Instagram.
“Dr.
Erik Fisher, Ph.D. and The Genius of Play expert, believes the best way to
foster children’s creativity is to encourage them to try things and not
feel afraid to fail. http://bit.ly/2JlvxHV”
On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)