Encourage creativity

A picture of Daddy with a heart for love!

Children are full of creative energy.  As preschoolers they are wildly imaginative, making up stories, drawing pictures all over every conceivable surface, singing and dancing.  Many of them lose that spark somewhere along the way and that is a shame.  How does that happen?

Sometimes they become self-conscious or critical after comparing themselves with others.  Other times, an unkind remark made by someone else will plant the seed of doubt in their minds.  Often it's a change of priority at school from artistic creativity to more academic pursuits which results in a loss of interest in imaginative things.  And of course, we can't forget a dependence on technology can stunt a child's creative growth.

Concentration!

Whatever the reason, I think it's important to encourage your children to develop their creativity.  Provide lots of blank paper to draw on as well as different mediums to explore with...crayons, pens, watercolors, colored pencils.  Have them make their own greeting cards and gifts.  Join the kids in playing with play-doh. Listen to all kinds of music.  Explore museums.  Read imaginative books to and with your children.  Have a wall or bulletin board where you display their art.  Praise them often. 

Academic study is good but developing the creative brain will help your children be well rounded and balanced.  How sad it would be for a potentially gifted artist to miss the opportunity to share that gift with others.  Your encouragement can help that little creative seed blossom into a thing of beauty.