Keeping Your Kids' Creativity Alive

Kids often have so much exuberance. They can be happy and outgoing, and many of them take chances without worrying about how they look to others. They are often unencumbered by the self-consciousness that can be ever-present in the thoughts of adults when they try something new.

Adults have learned to be wary of what others think of them and care perhaps too much about being judged. But when children play, they appear to have the time of their lives. It can be truly life-affirming to watch children play freely and openly without worrying at all about anyone’s judgment or approval.

The Dangers of Negativity

Unfortunately, this can all change in an instant. When we look back at our lives, most of us can remember a time when someone said something that shut down our enthusiasm and suddenly made us realize we were being judged negatively. Perhaps it was a drawing we were excited about that we showed to an adult who made fun of us. Perhaps it was someone criticizing us for the way we talked or looked. Whatever it was, it most likely made us feel self-conscious. We learned we had to watch ourselves, and that it wasn’t safe to just be ourselves. It took away the freedom we previously felt to live without feeling the pressure of others’ judgments in our lives.

The reality is that negativity can easily stifle creativity. An example of this was the way the creators of classic Warner Brothers cartoons came up with their ideas. When they were making a Bugs Bunny cartoon or one featuring the Roadrunner, they had a very simple rule. The rule was that no idea that was being suggested would be criticized. Incorporating this rule into their story meetings gave the cartoonists the freedom to suggest whatever ideas they had for the cartoon without the worry of being criticized or judged. This led them to continually come up with more creative ideas (and some that were less creative) in an atmosphere of acceptance and respect. That freedom helped create the brilliant cartoons that we still watch today.

Developing Confidence in Their Creativity

Creativity is fostered when children have the confidence to express themselves without the fear of being mocked or put down. Sometimes adults, in an effort to be instructional, will tear apart a child’s idea and try to reshape it into something the adult feels is more worthwhile. This can harm the child’s self-confidence and also make them feel it’s unsafe to express themselves to the adult, for fear of being told what they’re doing is wrong.

By showing children encouragement, we can support their uniqueness and creativity rather than stifle it. Recognizing that a child is still learning and exploring how to do things is the key. Being their champion and letting them know it’s okay to take chances can do wonders for keeping that spark of creativity and wonder alive in a child. Of course, none of us live in a vacuum. They will likely face negativity as they’re growing up. However, helping to instill in them self-confidence, and the awareness that they are talented and their ideas matter, can help them weather the negativity and continue believing in themselves. For children to continue to be creative, they need encouragement, support, and people who believe in them.

Building Their Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem

Our efforts to get excited with them when they show us something they’re proud of can help them see the value of their work. Respecting what they’re doing and not feeling we have to change it to our own sensibilities can help foster their continued creativity and excitement about their lives. Giving children the gift of positive energy can do wonders toward helping them develop self-confidence and self-esteem, and preserving their sense of wonder in the world.