How to Nurture Your Child to Be Creative #6 Respect Their Privacy

Just as the thought of showing someone a piece of creative writing, or sharing an unusual idea might make us a little nervous; sharing new ideas and thoughts can feel a little frightening for children too. This is especially true in their early years when they are still very much dependent on the approval of adults around them.

While they are working on something new, children need time and private space where they can make mistakes and try new things without any risk of their efforts being judged, until they are ready to show you.  And when they do, it is important how you react.

At its heart, creativity of any kind is an intensely personal expression. It reveals that this is something the person has spent time and energy thinking about, that this is something important for them. Inevitably, it is an expression of the effort, talent and ability that went into it. If you want to encourage creativity, it is important that a child is given private time and space to play and experiment with their expression, without the risk of ridicule or disinterested dismissal.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

How to Nurture Your Child to Be Creative #1 Let Them Lead the Play

Latest research suggests that although it’s good for us to provide interesting objects and materials for children to play with, and to be on hand to help and play with your child, your child will be happier and more creative if you allow time for unstructured play – in other words, you sometimes need to take a step back and let your child decide what they want to do.

Your child will need access to resources to encourage play and so it is a good idea to set out several different toys and materials (paper plates, paints, glitter, Lego, etc.) which they can use as and when they wish during their playtime. Because they have initiated the play, they will be more actively engaged in whatever activity they are doing and as a result, they will learn more from it.

Allowing your child to lead their own play is not the easy option. Painting and crafts can certainly be messy and after all your careful preparation you may find you child is more interested in playing with teddy bears. This can be very frustrating, however, remember that your child is going to be more creative if they are making more choices about how they use the resources they’re provided with.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

Paradox of Creative People: Atomic Bomb and Lazy Chair

“Creative people have a great deal of physical energy,

 but they’re also often quiet and at rest”

(Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, psychologist and author of Creativity)

Creative people are characterized by the fact that they have both abundant energy and a great need for relaxation. They are able to work hard and at long hours (sometime they forget to eat!). They also have a great focus and concentration on the subject they are engaging in. They have these invisible signage on their forehead: “Do not disturb”; “Man at work”; “I’m on fire!” Because of that kind of activities – thinking, working and focusing – they need massive energy. And where they get that huge amount of energy? From within. Like atomic bomb, a small seed of purpose mixed with passion they can produce extraordinary energy!

But on the other hand, they are also often quiet and at rest. My grandpa is a creative person. He is full of energy even though he is at his near eighties. His hobby, now become his career, is to make parang (a type of knife). He will wake up early in the morning, doing his craft until late afternoon with high energy level. And on the evening he would drink his beer or just smoke a cigarette, resting quietly enjoying the sunset or simply watching TV – and sometime fall asleep. Just like that. I often saw him sitting alone and just reflecting the day. Like sitting on a lazy chair, creative people also enjoy moments of idleness and lazy day.

God, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

Nurture Creativity: Listen to Jason Mraz (or if You Prefer, Classical Music)

“When I sit down to write a song,

I really want the message of healing to thrive and transcend all ages”

(Jason Mraz)

Are you stuck of idea? Are you feeling overwhelmed and having a mental block? Do you feel the least bit creative? Then it’s time to get your creative juices flowing by listening to music. There are so many different things you can do such as take a walk, read a book or magazine, watch TV or movie, chat or talk to a friend. But let me focus on something that Albert Einstein loved to do – listen to music. When I read about Einstein I noticed that he listened to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Einstein have good taste of music after all.

The Mozart Effect by Howard Wright, author of 100 Great Innovation Ideas (Marshall Cavendish Business, 2012)

A Study conducted by a French researcher, Dr. Alfred A. Tomatis, and published in his 1991 book Pourquoi Mozart? found that listening to Mozart promoted healing and the development of the brain. Another study in 1993 by Shaw Rauscher, found that listening to Mozart helped with ‘spatial intelligence’ although it also showed that the enhancing effect of the music was only temporary. Although there are differing views on the benefits of classical and other types of music, the sheer act of sitting down and listening is enough to provide you with the time and space to think. If the music helps to stimulate ideas, it’s even better.

But probably you don’t like classical music. Listening to Mozart probably not you. I understand. At first I don’t like it either. Maybe you like to listen to rock music or traditional music or jazz or pop, whatever music that inspires and motivates you. Music has different effects on different people, so don’t think you have to cultivate a love for classical music just because I suggests you so. For me, Mozart is fine but I prefer Jason Mraz more. He wrote songs that have souls, great soothing voice, meaningful and heart-piercing lyrics. Mraz blend with his guitar so well that you can rely on the quality of his music either from studio recordings or live on stage. Most important of all, listen to Jason Mraz can be relaxing and therapeutic and help to clearing my mind of clutter. I can better concentrate and stimulate ideas (But I always end up sing along, whatever).

Listen to Mozart. Listen to Jason Mraz. Listen to music that will inspire you. Find your own music that suite you (btw, solitude is fine too). Find music that helps get you in that creative space, stick with it and listen to it over and over whenever you need to be in a creative frame of mind. This is important: Once you find the music that inspires and sparks your creativity, keep listening to it whenever you want ideas to flow. Say politely ‘Excuse me,’ grab that headphones and turn on the music!

Listen to music.
Listen to be in a creative frame of mind.

God, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

How-To Generate Ideas #5: Create Your Quiet Space

The space probably not a practical idea for quiet space for most of us. Find your space near by.

“Ideas come when you have a great desire to find them” (RA)

It's hard to come up with great ideas when your mind is crowded with everyday thoughts and concerns. Always in the crowd and busying yourself with stuffs will soon jam your mind for great ideas. You need quiet space. It will help you clear your mind of daily business or ministry and stress. Maybe your room would be nice. Some even have their own home office. What about your house garden. In the car! Any place that is quiet and relaxing (for you), however small or large – you deserve a space.

Take your laptop, some notebooks, books, fragrance candle or a cactus, whatever that you find stimulating. Personally, a notebook, small-sized Bible, and Mozart symphonies (If in office, I placed Albert Einstein’s quote frame picture: “Imagination is more important than knowledge” on my table) – are essential for me. Decorate your own space. Whatever it takes, create your space. Find it or make it. Commit to one or at least two hours every week. I assured you, you’ll find new ideas flowing.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)