by A.J. Morrison

Created on: January 16, 2009

Creative children can be the light in a world of the mundane. Where some children might soak up video games or TV, creative children tend to strike out in a direction all their own. Their course is one that can lead to wonder and excitement but also to anxiety and apprehension for the parent trying to keep up.

When expressing creativity one looks to various mediums for outlets. Painting, drawing, crafting, even writing are all creative forms of expression. Some children might poses skills with various mediums or choose to hone in on just one strength. The products of their creative exploration can be inspiring but the process is not always so encouraging.

Children who are creative from a young age might lead their parents on a rocky ride through crayon strewn floors and paint covered walls (where the paint doesn't belong!) Keeping these children supplied with materials that might quench their creative thirst can be a challenge as well. Cleaning up after ones too young to clean up after themselves may be an exhausting and constant job.

Problems can also arise when creative kids start school. Children who lend themselves to creativity are not as settled in less creative activities. This can cause problems academically. Projects that require pictures or other forms of artwork will get high scores with a creative child. Contrasting this would be math or other subjects that do not allow "room" for creative minds to stretch and express.

Unfortunately much of the structured academic system lays such restraints on children. Some creative outlet is allowed, but most is discouraged. A child who may be able to paint a blue sun over red grass at home is often ostracized by his teacher or classmates at school for not applying basic principles to the logistics of his drawing.

Similarly, "creative" writing is kept within quarters by strict subject matter and semantic bindings. While it is critical to teach the development of good writing, young creative writers are often stifled in their creative reaching by judgment that won't allow mermaids in seas of green or monster trucks on the moon.

While not yet at epidemic proportions, structured school systems are slowly snuffing the creative flame that burns within many children. The belief is that it is better to conform to the rigid cold of societal expectations and less acceptable to blaze a new path for others to follow.

Parents may find the messes and chaos of a flamboyantly creative child overwhelming at times. But considering the intellectual stimulation of creative release should be a constant reminder of the importance of letting kids be kids creative or otherwise.

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