‘Creativity is intelligence having fun.’ Albert Einstein

 

1. Learning through play
Allow your child plenty of unstructured play time. Encourage activities like painting, drawing and building. The focus should be on open ended projects and the process not the end product. Don’t give directions or interfere, leave them to explore on their own.

2. An organised mess!
Set up specific spaces for activities, especially messy arts and crafts. Maybe a corner in the kitchen or garage where they can paint and make a mess unhindered. Dress your child in old clothes or an overall. Provide resources; paints, colours, glue, clay or play dough, scissors and anything useful from the house, such as cardboard tubes, boxes, bottle tops, etc. Ideally have them organised on a shelf or in a cupboard, so when inspiration strikes, your child knows exactly where to find the materials required and when it’s time to clear away, exactly where the things belong.

3. The great outdoors
If making a mess indoors seems like a headache, then take it outside. Here in Cyprus we’re blessed with good weather nearly all year around. Let your child play outside in the garden, or take them to the beach or the forest. The beach has to be one of the best places for a huge variety of really creative play; digging, building, collecting shells, stones and smooth sticks, flying kites or floating boats.

4. Boredom
There’s a tendency to programme every waking moment with extra lessons, activities and entertainment, but in actual fact creativity often grows from boredom. It’s all too easy to pass the time watching television or playing on the internet, but it’s better to limit screen time and leave your child to invent their own pastimes. During the long holidays better to let them tinker with a broken lawn mower or toaster if you have one. Follow your child’s lead, look for the things they’re interested in. How could you encourage them? Could it become an actual hobby? There are local artisans that offer teaching in pottery, jewellery, knitting and woodwork and the online tutorials are endless. To spend time actively engaged in any kind of hobby is really beneficial to your child’s emotional health, which has to be a good thing when looking at the rising figures for child depression.

5. Inspiration
Be an inspiration to child. They will follow your lead. It will do them good to see you trying something new, how you deal with any challenges and time well spent on something enjoyable. Or could they learn a new skill from you? Learning to knit or how to fish with someone from the family, rather than a teacher?

Take your child to shows, galleries, exhibitions, music recitals, etc. whenever possible. This year Paphos is the European Capital of Culture and there are so many events taking place. The programme is listed online. Try taking your child to any events you think might interest them. The Open Studio programme in Paphos is a brilliant way for children to actually meet the artists, ask questions and see how and where they work. It usually takes place in the autumn and is well advertised in the local press.
Article by
Zoe Kyriacou | Art Teacher
TLC Private School & Institute