12 Feb Creativity – a learnable behaviour
Many of us believe creativity to be an innate ability born into a select few – however, research into the subject has indicated otherwise. Creativity is a learned and teachable behaviour, that can thrive best in socially-engaged, or group situations.
Creativity isn’t just about making pretty things, it is an essential element in problem-solving and improving on how things are done. So, how can you encourage creativity and creative thinking in your child?
* Encourage regular journaling – This provides an outlet to freely express thoughts, emotions and ideas. It also helps to clarify this information, allowing for the expansion and evolution of these expressions.
* Create mood boards – Not only is this a creative outlet, but it can also help children to identify with their thoughts and emotions.
* Have brainstorming sessions – This encourages collaboration, critical thinking, provides insight into different perspectives and opinions, and can help children to learn to work together towards a common goal, rather than compete.
* Engage them with a brief daily mindfulness mediation – Just 5 minutes of meditation each day helps to reduce stress, which allows for more creative and deeper thinking.
* Encourage risk-taking (in a safe, learning environment) – Allow children to be free of the confines of “right” and “wrong” – let them experiment and develop their own techniques and ideas.
* Help them to experience different outdoor environments – The combination of being outdoors – which helps to free and expand the mind – along with stimulating the senses, encourages and inspires creativity.
* Encourage curiosity – Questioning how things work or why things are the way they are, helps with developing creative problem-solving abilities. Also, the more that children understand, the easier it is for them to learn.
At Western Paediatric Physiotherapy, our team of paediatric physios are passionate about helping your child to reach their milestones and achieve their full potential. We treat children from newborns through to adolescence – providing assessments of your child’s development and designing an appropriate management plan. Make an appointment with our Hopper Crossing clinic today on (03) 8001 2042. Our paediatric physiotherapists can help your child to create their best start in life!
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