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"Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual." ~ Arthur Koestler

Creativity is used as a personal form of self expression. Children are naturally creative because they enjoy expressing themselves. It helps them learn about their world. Unfortunately, it's the adults in their lives who sometimes stifle it.

Here are just a few things you can do to give your child the gift of freedom to explore their creativity.

1) Don't hover over them. Being creative means you take risks and it's unlikely your child will feel comfortable enough to do that if they feel they're being watched.

2) Don't reward them. Creating in itself, is the reward.

3) Don't correct them. Let them explore and make, what you may think of as, a mistake. Trial and error is an important part of being creative.

4) Don't be concerned with the finished product. It's the journey, the process of being creative that's important to them. Don't worry if they don't "finish what they started".

5) Be creative alongside your child and let them see you following what your heart is drawn to. Let go of your own perfectionism and just enjoy your creative process and your child will feel more comfortable trying new things.

6) Creativity will thrive in an atmosphere of safety and acceptance.

7) If you want to encourage creativity in your child, watch with an open heart and a closed mouth.

8) Read Helen Buckleys poem, "The Little Boy" http://home.bresnan.net/~cabre ras/theboyo.htm

9) Listen to Harry Chapin's song, Flowers are Red
http://www.harrychapin.com/ music/flowers.shtml

We adults destroy most of the intellectual and creative capacity of children by the things we do to them or make them do. We destroy this capacity above all by making them afraid' ~ John Holt

It's not to late to encourage your child to be more creative. All it takes is being willing to make some changes in your perspective. You may even find your own creative voice in the process. :-)

Learn more about this author, Joanne Greco.
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