Adults generally recognize that creativity is important – but not all kids do.
Here are five reasons why creativity should matter to children and teens, and how it can empower them.
Parents sometimes wish their kids would be LESS creative with excuses for not doing homework or tidying their rooms, and MORE imaginative about how to tackle challenges or meet responsibilities that may seem tedious, difficult, or unpleasant. Whatever the circumstances, creativity is an important foundation for learning, productivity, and success. Here are five reasons why.
1. It’s good to be a maverick!
Creativity can be a conduit for solving thorny problems. When kids use their imaginations they find innovative resolutions and alternatives. Instead of putting things off or avoiding tasks, they can forge new pathways and try new, exciting approaches. This applies to room clean up, assignments, and dreary household chores. Be creative!
2. It helps to fortify your toolbox
We live in a fast-paced, ever-changing world. Creative thinking, networking, and resource access enable us to better adapt to (and even transform) our environment. It all boils down to improving the status quo, helping people, mitigating conflicts – in short, it’s “about looking for solutions – and using kindness.” (1) It’s also about not necessarily accepting things as they are but looking at and engaging with the world in different ways.
3. Creative thinking can be a game-changer
Creativity is a key component for survival and resilience. Think of the ideas and inventions that have contributed to society and that have enabled people to carry on and flourish. Advances in technology, medicine, engineering, sciences, and every other field of endeavor would not have been possible without someone taking initiative and persisting in pursuing a creative notion.
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