Pablo Picasso once said,
“Every child is an artist. The problem is
how to remain an artist once he grows up.”
Why is that almost every child has an innate knowing that he or she is an artist? In fact, children and teens usually have no problem expressing themselves in creative ways. It’s only as they grow older, that they begin to conform or put away their creativity to become more “practical.”
But what if we, as parents, nurtured their creativity and taught them from an early age to honor it? Would this help them to continue honoring their gifts and abilities throughout adulthood? I believe so.
Take the Limits Off Creativity
As an artist, I’ve taught art classes in which I’ve heard a lot of women say, “I’m just not creative,” or “I’m not talented.” But what they most likely mean is that they don’t feel artsy.
But we need to learn to take the limits off the word “creativity.” Creativity isn’t just limited to art. In fact, there are so many areas where one can express him- or herself.
Creative talent can apply to the visual arts, such as drawing, painting, sculpting, or photography. But it can also apply to the performing arts, such as music, dance, singing, or acting; or literary arts, such as a writing or poetry. And how about culinary arts? Or needle arts? Leather crafting? Wood carving or woodworking? Sewing, quilting, spinning, weaving…the list goes on and on.
And a lot of us moms enjoy the art of making a warm, cozy, and peaceful home for our families. This is evident in the hygge craze that’s currently taking place.
My point is that creativity comes in many different forms. And each of us has been gifted in different areas.
If you will look closely at each of your children, delving beneath the surface, you will discover their innate abilities, gifts and talents. Watch them. Think about things that give them great joy, things they truly love to do, areas they excel in. Those gifts are unique to each child and could be a great blessing to them throughout their life.
Honor Your Child’s Creativity
By paying attention to these things, you are honoring your child’s creativity. Other ways to do so are most likely things you’re already doing as a homeschool mom:
- Provide a variety of stimulus to your children from a young age
- Expose them to as much beauty and art as possible over the course of their childhood
- Books, books, books! Read excellent literature and poetry to them on a regular basis
- Take them on nature walks
- Visit the local botanical gardens
- Visit art, history, and science museums
- Take in the symphony
- Enjoy Shakespearean plays
- Visit planetariums, aquariums, and historical landmarks
- Open their eyes to different cultures
- Play classical music throughout your home
- Teach them various home skills, such as cooking, baking, gardening, sewing, crocheting, woodworking, and more
For more ideas, check out this post of 100 Ways to Inspire Creativity in Your Child or Teen.
There are so many benefits for kids and teens who create. If you will learn to honor their creativity from an early age – and teach them to do the same – I believe they won’t have any trouble remaining creative when they grow up.
Want more ideas on inspiring creativity? Check out this huge booklist.
And if you have a particularly “artsy” child you’d like more art instruction for, or if you’re looking for a simple and easy way to incorporate art into your homeschool on a regular basis, I’d love for you to visit the Masterpiece Society Studio – an all-access pass to my online art lessons and mixed media workshops, or simply come over to the Masterpiece Society blog and check out the many posts on creativity.
I encourage you to do all you can to help your kids explore the things that bring them joy and delight. Help them develop their gifts, talents and abilities. Inspire them find and explore their creative passions. In doing so, you will give them a head start to, as Picasso put it, “remaining an artist once he (or she) grows up.”
