For children we call it creativity, but when it comes to an employee, we call creative minds – “innovative.” Businesses will not make it in today’s global society without a competitive edge and that comes from innovative people on their team.
Follow these sure-fire tips to begin developing your child’s “innovative” mind today:
1. Model creativity in the projects you do – does the grass really ALWAYS have to be colored green?
2. Let go of perfectionism and just enjoy your own creative process. Your children will notice and feel more comfortable trying new things
3. Give your children many opportunities to be creative without concern for the product.
4. Look for process-oriented toys and projects for your children. Finger paints, Lego’s, blocks or play dough can be great fun and develop skills without making your child feel that a certain result is expected.
5. When helping your children make a specific object, like a painting or a puppet, keep things open-ended and leave room for their own creative touches.
6. Give children time to use their imagination in what seems to you to be non-productive ways. Children need to spend hours pretending.
7. Be sure to enjoy being creative alongside of your children.
Early education is the key!
