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Creativity means uniqueness, bringing into being something new. The opposite
of creativity is conformity where a child is expected to do things only
in the way she has been tonight.
| Children
are creative by nature. Parents encourage or discourage their
natural creativity in the ways that they relate to them. |
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How to encourage
creativity: -
| Encourage
creative thinking right from the beginning. A toddler may jabber
away about factually wrong things like a train flying, etc -
resist the temptation to correct him. Let him think freely. |
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- Foster a sense of independence - if your child is dependent upon your
approval and permission for everything, she will always follow the rules
and stifle her own creative impulses.
- Encourage the child to take responsibility for her mistakes and actions.
- Believe that making mistakes is an essential part of learning and
teach your children the same belief.
- Teach tolerance and openness to new experiences and the unfamiliar.
- Teach self-confidence and the
ability to follow through on her own instincts.
- Encourage a child to think critically and ask the question why?
- Encourage her to dream big.
- Teach children how to make their dreams come true through hard work
and setting of realistic goals. Praise liberally for all achievements.
- Encourage fantasy play, story writing or any talent the child might
have.
- Teach persistence through praise, encouragement and example.
- Many creative children tend to be loners.
How to encourage
creativity: -
- Foster the love of reading
as it helps develop the imagination and also helps to expose
the child to as yet unknown worlds.
- Discourage TV and computer
games, creativity flourishes in the absence of there.
- Accept that creativity is also expressed in mischief and doing things
that you may disapprove of.
- Avoid comparisons.
- Don't ignore their persistent questions of why & how?
- Don't teach safety at the cost of exploration and natural curiosity.
- Spend time with your children.
- Don't insist on conformity with all rules or doing things in only
one 'proper' way or 'best way'.
- Don't ridicule or put down her creative efforts.
- Don't teach children to devalue their own opinions and judgements
by saying things like 'you're too young to know'.
- Don't talk down regularly to a child.
- Don't rush to constantly entertain them. Let them play on their own.
Allow them to work out solutions to games, puzzles by themselves. Praise
the effort, not just the result.
- Don't create stereotypes for your children by using gender or age
- Set a good example.
What you
say if you want to: -
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Discourage
Creativity
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Encourage
creativity
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Why can't you just be like your friend and do your homework on
time?
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If you don't do your homework on time, you have to suffer the
consequence.
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No one else is complaining
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- This
is the way this family does things
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May be you do have a better way of doing this. Tell me about your
idea and may be we can all try it.
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You are too little to run this race but may be when you get older
you can try it.
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If you think you can run the race and are willing to train for
it, go ahead and give it a try. Nothing would surprise me about
what you can do when you really put your mind to it.
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You're not the right build to be a model, but may be you could
work in advertising.
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If you love modeling, go for it. With your talent and determination.
I know that you'll be sensational at whatever you do.
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You got the highest mark in the class. I'm so proud of you.
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You got the highest mark in the class. I'm so proud of you.- Not
only did you get the highest mark in class, you worked hard and
now know 50 more words than you did last week. I'm so proud of
you.
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