lives, and where we are available
for conversation and support, but
where we interfere as little as possible
with their play. If we try and ‘teach’
children how to be creative, we
actually spoil their learning.”
When Quinn draws and shows his
dad a picture, Chad offers Quinn the
opportunity to express his creativity
by asking, “Can you tell me about it?”
rather than, “What is it?” “Sometimes
Quinn doesn’t say much in response,
but I can tell the gears are turning
in his mind. Getting them to think
is actually more important than
receiving a detailed answer, which
will come later – and they can think of
much more than they can say for the
first few years,” says Chad.
Chad also encourages Quinn to
play with toys that give him the freedom
to explore, use his imagination, build
and solve his own problems.
Fortunately, a number of toy
manufacturers are developing toys that
inspire innovative thought. Australian
brand Makedo, for example, gives
children tools, such as child-friendly
clips and hinges, so they can turn
a box or other materials around
them into an aeroplane or ship. New
Zealand brand Seedling offers tools
for children to develop their own ideas
and design their own pencil box, bag
or kaleidoscope, among other projects.
“
It is these simple toys that promote
creative play. Rather than giving
children all the bells and whistles, let
them interpret toys for themselves;
let them be the noisemakers and the
creators,” Caroline advises.
Ginny encourages parents to
expose their children to a wide range
of experiences in order to inspire
their creativity. “Through exposure
to different experiences, such as trips,
places, conversation and interaction,
books, pictures, concerts, theatre,
art and new concepts, children will
begin to feel inspired and will want to
express their thoughts in a variety of
ways,” she advises. In this way, parents
can gain a better understanding of
their children’s interests and nurture
their creative languages accordingly.
The future
According to Anastassia, “Creativity
is the main drive responsible for the
evolution of the civilised world, for
new discoveries, for expanding our
understanding of the world we live in
and pushing the limits of what we are
able to do.”
Kirsten, a successful product
designer for fashion, agrees, “Now,
more than ever, I believe it is
important for our children to be
encouraged to think differently or
more creatively about their future.”
she says. “Professions are different and
our environment is changing. Whilst
there is still a need for traditional
professions such as doctors and
lawyers, it is the doctors who are
thinking differently that are changing
our world for the better. It is the
businesses that were created by those
who were able to think differently
that are having the greatest impact
on our society. I truly believe that we
are all creative and there is no greater
gift to pass on to your child than
encouraging their creativity.”
Creativity is the main drive responsible
for the evolution of the civilised world,
for new discoveries, for expanding our
understanding of the world we live in
and pushing the limits of what we are
able to do.
March 2013