Someone once commented to me, “Isn’t it something that both your children turned out to be such original thinkers!” Without missing a beat, I replied jokingly, “Yes, I brainwashed them to be that way!”
It’s true that, throughout my own children’s growing-up years, I did a lot to purposefully nurture their imaginations. But I can’t take credit for making them creative. In his book, The Grand Weaver, the Christian thinker Ravi Zacharias says: “Human beings are born creators. They fashion their tools, discover new ways of doing things, find shortcuts, and revel in their new inventions. This genius reflects the very character of God.” The truth is, our kids don’t need to learn to be creative. As beings created in the image of their Heavenly Father, they already are! Their earthly fathers and mothers only need to give them little boosts to help them develop their own innate creative spark to its maximum potential.
In the daily routine of mothering, however, we can quench creativity by being so task-oriented that our kids never get a chance to express themselves or try out new ideas. So here are three more C words to guide you as you seek to cultivate your kids’ natural creativity… without sabotaging your own sanity!
1. Charm your kids into a creative mindset. Make making things attractive. Provide materials and environments that encourage construction and invention. Give them access to, not just routine art supplies, but some non-traditional ones as well. My kids still fondly remember the day when I let them loop dozens of rubber bands together so that they could make their stuffed animals go “bungee-jumping” off the upstairs railing!
Charm your kids with musical expression. In our house, we made up our own funny words to children’s songs. We had “dance breaks” when Mom would pound out tunes on the piano and the little ones would dance like pirates, or Indians, or fairies. (Well actually, only my little girl consented to be a fairy. That was a bit too much for her big brother!)
Charm your kids with literature. Don’t stop reading to them once they learn to read for themselves. At that point, they’re more ready than ever to settle down after dinner and listen to you speak aloud the delightful escapades of Junie B. Jones or the daring adventures of the Hobbit. As they each stare off into their own dreamscape and picture the events coming to life, you share together the enjoyment and inspiration of a good story.
For countless other age-appropriate pursuits that will fire up your kids’ appetite for creativity, I recommend a wonderful book named the The Mother’s Almanac, by Marguerite Kelly.
2. Challenge your children’s imagination. Find ways to inject out-of-the-box thinking into everyday routines. Dinner conversations don’t have to be dull if parents pose fun questions that invite free-wheeling answers, such as “What if dogs could fly?” “How could you have a campfire underwater?” or “In our family, who behaves the most like a basketball?” From there, it’s just a short leap to more organized creative games, such as:
*“What Would You Rather?”-- In this game, Person #1 states two options -- for example, “What would you rather do: ride in a submarine, or ride in a hot air balloon?” Person #2 chooses one answer, then explains why he or she made that choice, as everyone else listens appreciatively (and non-critically). I know this doesn’t sound especially appealing on paper… but once you try it, you’re hooked. Here’s a bonus: all ages can play. (Sneaky Mom alert: this is also a great undercover way to get ideas for future birthday presents or family outings!)
*“Draw A Picture Of…” -- My college-aged daughter and I still play this game when we’re waiting in restaurants. We take turns giving each other outlandish drawing assignments, such as “Draw an elephant mailing a letter.” Just one warning, though: your laughter might get you kicked out of high-class establishments!
Make up your own ways to launch ideas, then let your children do the embellishing while you enjoy their spontaneity. Just remember this cardinal rule: no mocking. Underscore the need for families to balance freedom of expression with respect for each others’ feelings. Which brings us to my last C word…
3. Channel your children’s creativity for good. In the very first chapters of Genesis, the story of Cain murdering Abel shows us what happens when, as individuals, we let our own ideas become disconnected from God’s ideals. The tower of Babel and the Golden Calf are other Bible examples of mankind’s Godlike creativity taking a devilish turn.
Our hope lies the Bible verse quoted above. When we commit our works to the Lord, and allow Him to rule in our hearts and minds, He promises to guide our inborn creativity to its fullest potential, and its most fulfilling expression. God programmed us to create within a context of love for others, and service to Him. That’s why the safety of a loving family is the very best proving ground for budding creativity.
Let’s help our little “born creators” understand that when we use ideas to hurt or demean others, the spark flickers out of the creative process. But when we choose to let God’s principles frame our creative endeavors, all of life becomes a canvas of joy. And that’s the kind of life we want for each of our children!
1 comment:
I love these ideas of how to spark and cultivate my kids' creativity.... by channeling it,and not necessarily letting them do whatever they want under the guise of letting them 'be creative.' I have seen many parents use that as an excuse for inappropriate behavior.
Thank you!
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