Creativity makes the world a better place. It allows us to see things differently, try different methods, and develop new ways to make the world better. It manifests through different fields of expertise as well, and not just in the arts. You can find creativity in areas of mathematics, architecture, and the sciences.
Some types of creative expression, such as music, are a vital part of helping them grow. It will help them discover things about themselves and shape how they see the world. However, contrary to popular belief, music isn’t innate to the person. Just because a child is born to a painter and an astrophysicist does not mean they will end up the same.
Just as talent is a pursued interest, music is taught, learned, and honed. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to help your child unlock musical talents. We’ve put together a list of some tips that will help you encourage your child’s musical streak. Read on.
1. Allow your kid to try different instruments
Play helps kids explore their surroundings freely and at their own pace. While school provides structure and guidance, unstructured playtime gives children space to do things without mind any guidelines or time constraints. Make sure to give your child instruments to play with, such as a guitar, a piano, or even a xylophone. Supervise from a safe distance, but don’t hover as they figure the instruments out.
Make unstructured play part of your child’s day. Allot an hour a day and give them a space of their own: a corner of their room or a bit of space in the living room. You also might want to consider guitar training if you’re serious about supporting their musical talent.
2. Let your child speak up
One common mistake many parents make is controlling their child’s every action and activity. This stifles the child’s creative and emotional development and makes them feel guilty for having an opinion. Allowing kids to speak up will make them feel listened to and valued. This positive reinforcement will encourage them to explore different fields and help them figure out what they like.
Creativity thrives with space to breathe. If your child wants to explore music, let them. Don’t admonish them if they realize that music isn’t their thing. Take photos or videos of them as they practice their musical craft to make them feel welcome.
3. Think outside the box
Children, when presented with a problem, are entirely capable of solving it without outside help. You need to allow them to think outside the box. Allowing them to come up with ways to approach a problem will let them flex their creativity and teach them valuable problem-solving skills. Spoon-feeding the solution isn’t helpful, so it’s best to avoid this.
Creativity isn’t limited to art and music, and giving your child room to think will help them apply creative thinking to everyday life. Using technology helps as well. There are loads of videos online that discuss challenging topics in friendlier terms, so your child can get a sort of guide while still being able to think independently.
4. Overlook mistakes
Failure is okay. If you react negatively to a child’s mistake or misstep, it could lead to self-policing and makes them feel like they can’t do anything right. Mistakes help children understand the concepts of resilience and risk-taking and realize that they can keep trying until they get the outcomes they want.
Being too strict or negative with your kid’s mistakes could make them fearful of judgment and impact their mental health as they grow up. Let them know that small failures are perfectly normal as long as they never give up.
5. Encourage free thought
The real essence of creativity and education is questioning why things are how they are. When your child disagrees with you about a certain topic, let them express their opinion. This will help them know that it’s okay to have opinions of their own outside of yours. Don’t punish them just because they voiced their opinion on something they’re passionate about.
A final word
Musical talent and creativity require freedom and space to bloom in a child. Help your child along and always remember that they will grow better with support. Rules are important, but you shouldn’t be too overbearing or strict. Fostering creativity at this stage is important because it will shape them into sensitive and well-rounded individuals.
