Children and creativity- my pet peeve
By Sillychick
@Sillychick (3275)
United States
May 15, 2008 12:50pm CST
Let me start by saying I believe in fostering creativity in children. I think it is one of the most important things we can do for them. My gripe is what people consider to be 'creative.' Stencils, coloring books, special markers that only color inside the lines, craft kits that all come out looking the same, toy sets with a pretend everything. These things are not creative. They have a predetermined outcome. I'm not against them altogether- they have their place. But they are not even a little creative.
Creativity happens when children are given a variety of materials and are allowed to use them any way they choose to express themselves and create something unique. It is not limited to art. An empty cardboard box turned into a fort, boat, or hideout is creative. Using elbows in fingerpaint and going off the edge of the paper is creative. Making up different voices for stuffed animals is creative. Using a block as a spaceship is creative. Using an empty paper towel tube as a telescope, oar or magic wand is creative. Gluing any amount, any size, any shape, any color pieces in any paonto a collage is creative.
Fostering creativity in children helps them learn problem-solving skills, it helps them learn to think on their feet, and think outside the box. Why are people so determined to stifle it and dictate how children use materials? Let them be creative, let them come up with new and different uses for things. Let them use their imaginations.
3 people like this
7 responses
@Pitgull (1522)
• United States
15 May 08
Something just happened to my response, but it was basically this
less is more with kids
Bubblewrap at Christmas gets played with until it's all popped, then come the toys
paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls, stuff you usually throw away, can be turned into kaleidoscopes, or for playing pirates...
kids don't need much to image and create, it's adults that do....maybe we need to pay a little more attention to the happy people...
3 people like this
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
29 May 08
Thanks. I agree, adults could take a lesson from children. They are easy to please, and have fun with simple things if only parents would let them, instead of buying lots of expensive toys that allow no use of the imagination.
@kezabelle (2974)
•
15 May 08
I couldnt agree more as a nursery nurse I was taught many different things to help a child find their own style of creavtivity. Of course colouring books have their place its an easy mess free time and it can teach them certain things about colour and choice making etc but not a great deal of creativity.
My childrens favourite thing to do when doing "creative" play is playdough, I make them a few different colours and give them lots of different tools and leave them to it its amazing what they can make with a bit of playdough!
Really anything that allows them to play using their imagition is creative so theres plenty of things, I think what puts some people off is the mess it shouldnt but it does.
2 people like this
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
29 May 08
Yes, people don't see the value of creativity, just the big mess they'll have to clean up. But the mess is good too. It's an opportunity to teach children to clean up after themselves. Plus, who cares if there's a mess? A little glue on the table- so what? At least they are having fun and developing their imaginations.
1 person likes this
@magikrose (5429)
• United States
15 May 08
I totally agree with you on this. Coloring books and the crayola only color here books are great for in the car when you are limited space. But when you are home tape a tone of news paper on the table and bring out the paints and papers and glue and let the kids go to town. Dang sometimes I even get involved in the fun and make a few things myself. I would rather give my kids an empty box over a store bought toy any day.
2 people like this
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
29 May 08
Sure, coloring books are fine once in a while. I love getting into it and making some creations myself, too. It is good for children to see their parents loosen up and have fun sometimes.
1 person likes this
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
15 May 08
I tend to agree with you. I think those products are designed to appeal to the parents more than kids, anyway, especially the mess-free ones. Come on, parents! Lighten up. I still have paint on my dining room table from my granddaughter, despite all the newspaper. I haven't tried to remove it because it will remind me of when she was little!
1 person likes this
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
29 May 08
That's great! What's the point of keeping your home beautiful if no one wants to be there because it's boring and uptight? A little paint on the table is a wonderful reminder of when they were young, and great times. I can still see the writing on the shelf in my parents' house where my sister and I got a little creative. Brings back great memories.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28954)
• Canada
15 May 08
I agree with you!!! I don't find things to be creative at all!!! I think it will be hard for kids who do nothing but craft kits, to ever be creative in the future. I think there needs to be a mix of pre-determined outcomes, and creativity and free expression.
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
29 May 08
Absolutely, a mix is best. The creativity can come in all forms, not just messy ones. Like using paper towel tubes or empty cardboard boxes for lots of different things.
1 person likes this
