Here is one of many articles The Creativity
Institute has reviewed and reprinted on nurturing and boosting
creativity in children. Among the articles you'll find on this
site are those that demonstrate the importance of creative environments
at early ages and the power of the right educational toys. While
some of these articles are intended for adults, you'll see the relevance for the
same processes in children.
Awaken the Creative Genius Within
by Lynne Kaska
Creativity is a topic that I address quite
frequently in my coaching. Many clients come to me stuck on allowing
their creative juices to flow. As a professional writer, I have
had a lot of experiences with writer's block, and even with laziness.
And people know that this is a struggle for any professional artist.
So they come to me, to address what is blocking their creative
genius.
Each time I coach someone on awakening the
creative genius, there are 10 steps that I take them through.
Step 1: Create an environment that is comfortable
for you to create your works of art. It is a proven fact that
listening to classical music such as Bach will allow creativity
to flow. Some people have a special place to do their work, like
in a garden, or they have a special table that they sit at to
do their writing.
Step 2: Brainstorming is a key ingredient to
awakening the creative genius within you. I can't talk about how
important it is for artists, singers, or actors, because that
is not my gift. But what I can tell you is that brainstorming
is essential for writers. I am currently working on my second
book. In the process, I've started it over and over and over again.
Each time it gets better, more is added. I personally like to
use a mind map or flow chart approach to my brainstorming.
Step 3: Carry a notebook or spiral with you
at all times. And write down your ideas all the time. The more
you write, the better off you are. Most people have 90% ineffective
ideas but the other 10% are brilliant ideas. The important thing
to remember is that the 10% will become successful.
Step 4: Freedom inhibits creativity. Open a
dictionary, and point to a word without looking at it. Then I
want you to write, to create around the word that you selected.
Step 5: Problem solve on paper. This is another
essential ingredient to awakening the creative genius within.
For instance, if you are struggling with what the next chapter
should be, write out all of your options on paper, why they are
an option, or why something else may work better.
Step 6: Take a break. I know that I spent an
entire weekend working on my first book. I rented a room at a
bed and breakfast, and took my laptop with me and sat outside
and just created amongst God's beautiful creations. But even in
such a serene environment, it was important for me to let my creative
genius take a break and rest. When you get tired, or when the
ideas stop, I encourage you to take a walk, take a nap, meditate,
or anything else that will feed your soul.
Step 7: No outside influences. I can't tell
you how many times in the midst of my writing, I had the TV on
in the background and it hindered my creative genius from coming
forth.
Step 8: While you are creating your works of
art, do not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is
extremely important. Art is supposed to come from the artists'
heart, and if you are under the influence, it is impossible to
create from your heart.
Step 9: Read as much as you can about as many
different things as you can. As a life and career coach, I have
read a huge variety of self-help books. And what my book has become
is a collection of everything that I personally have experienced.
I have gathered ideas from all these different books, revamped
them to fit my own experience and my own style and used them to
create my own book.
Step 10: Just as our body needs exercise, our
mind does too. Reading will exercise your brain. Crossword puzzles,
or anything else that is challenging will help exercise your brain.
I believe that within everyone is a creative genius. But she/he
is like a muscle; she has to be exercises to become strong and
healthy.
I encourage you to take the steps in your next
attempt at creation of artwork of any type. I would be interested
to hear of your results in these steps. Please contact me at www.visionarycoaching.net.
About The Author
My name is Lynne Kaska. I am 27 years old and
live in the Dallas area. I am a life and career coach who believes
in coaching people to their greatest magnificence. If you feel
you can have more, be more, and do more, then I invite you to visit my website at www.visionarycoaching.net.
MORE ON CHILD CREATIVITY
Make
your child
more creative for life.
Every child has creative
ability just waiting to be tapped. Even infants have budding creative
potential. The right educational toys can bring it out. and let
children enjoy the benefits of creative pursuits at many levels.
Infants,
toddlers,
preschoolers,
early
school age and older
school age children all delight in opportunities for creative
expression through colors, shapes and sounds.
At The Creativity Institute, we handpick each infant educational
toy, every creative plaything, each piece of furniture and every
toy musical instrument based on its potential for developing vital
creative resources in your child.
Toy
pianos, oversized
foam building blocks, puppet
theaters and puppet stages and people
and animal hand puppets, art
supplies and children's
easels, play
tents and more. The scale and durability of many of these
toys make them perfect for classrooms, homeschool,
day care centers and waiting rooms, too. The benefits of nurturing
creativity can be profound, offering children tools for success
in all endeavors athletic, artistic or academic. Let your baby
begin now.