Let's stimulate, motivate and nurture their creativity!

There is a saying that inspiration does exist but it must find you working.

Pablo Picasso, a popular Spanish artist once said “Every child is an artist, the problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up’’

The creativity in a child becomes so effective even when he grows up based on how his creative skill was stimulated, motivated and nurtured as a child.

Yes! so when Picasso said “Artist” he meant “creative”. So, the child does not have to be an artist to be a creative.

I have a formula that I use for the tips I am about to share and it is ERAARA

ERAARA is an acronym that represents the following:

• E – Environment

• R – Resources

• A – Awareness

• A – Activities

• R – Reward

• A – Appreciation

So I will start explaining from the first key factor, Environment

Environment is a key factor in the stimulation, motivation and nurturing of a child’s creativity skill. As a child is growing up. We all know learning for the child starts in the home, so also the child’s creative skill discovery. So the environment must be well nurtured and equipped in the sense that there should be elements around to trigger the skills in the child. For example, a child recognizes colors based on what he or she sees in the environment. A lot of times, you see children of creatives like make up artists, visual artists, painters etc. Getting familiar with varieties of colors at a very tender age. This is so because they see these elements often they are always there in their environment. So to do this we can set up the child’s room with stimulating elements like colorful books, beautiful murals or wallpapers, posters with more of clip art images and less text etc.

If the child doesn’t have his or her personal room then paintings and photo frames can be introduced and also colorful books for the child to explore.

Number 2 tip is Resources. Resources here is simply materials.

Get the necessary materials in the house. One of the major materials is the crayons. Then we have other materials like pencils, erasers, drawing book or sheets and some other simple craft tools. When all these are on ground, then the child gets stimulated the more. The child tends to want to express himself or herself more. All that is in their imagination will be screaming to be let out.

This is why Art is defined as the expression of human feelings, thoughts and ideas and the unique form in which these ideas are being expressed.

After the child’s creativity skill is being stimulated more with provision of resources. The next step is the next element which not only motivates the child but also builds the child’s confidence.

Awareness, this is where the parent involves the child in creative discussions, ask the child questions. This will also help you as their parent to know what is in their imagination. As you are doing this, their interest to provide creative solutions to task, the urge to express themselves increases.

Then with this the next factor comes in which is Activities. The child has a well nurtured environment, appropriate resources and consistent awareness. So, with all these the child easily gets involved in creative activities. At this level allow the child express himself or herself freely. Challenge him or her with other activities outside their imagination. This will also help motivate the child more, as he or she would see that you are acknowledging his or her skills.

One of the most important of the factors is the next factor which is Reward. This is the greatest part of motivation. I always advice parents that for creativity the best reward is a book on a creative, a book an any part of creativity or materials or tools for making beautiful creations.

We can also use other reward system like a place the child loves to visit, it could be a cinema.

Lastly, Appreciation. This is the last but this is also key. There is a thin line between reward and appreciation. Reward, you give something to the child but for appreciation your attitude towards the creation is very important.

Under appreciation the child’s creation should be praised and be to serve a function. If it is a painting, it can be hung or pasted on the wall.

When people come visiting, be quick to talk about the creation and always get the child to talk about the creation

This goes a very long way. So, we can see its a systematic process.

To stimulate we need the right environment

To motivate, awareness is created, activities take place and the right reward system is utilized.

And lastly to nurture, we appreciate the child’s create and make sure the systematic process continues.

Being a creative is awesome and having them around us makes life easy.

We can see that for us to help a child become one is very easy. If you are doing this already, please keep doing it and if not lets kick start and trust me you will achieve a great result.