Encouraging Children To Be Creative, Innovative, Original Thinkers

One of the problems (of many) I see with the Amy Chua "Tiger Mom" dictatorial style of parenting is that it teaches children to be followers rather than leaders. It encourages imitation while discouraging exploration, creation, and discovery. It teaches a child that pleasing his parents, fulfilling their goals and following their direction for him is far more important than contributing his unique point-of-view to society (and while doing so, fulfilling his true potential).

Don't most of us want our children to be creative, innovative, original thinkers? If the answer is YES, how can we encourage those abilities?

Here are some of my ideas: Idea Babies - 4 Ways To Kindle Genius. I'd love to hear yours!!!

Tags: babies, children, creativity, genius, smfc

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Permalink Reply by Lynne Kenney on February 27, 2011 at 12:32pm

Janet,

I really appreciate your thoughtful posts. One trend where we live is more in class instruction that is activity/demonstration/participation based. This makes for creative learners as early as 4th grade. Kids do everything from dissect animals to make homemade pinatas (from scratch) to shoot and edit their own movies. We have an opportunity to raise creative entrepreneurial children all we need to do is provide some supplies and let their imaginations soar! Here is a real-life example of a young artist I thought u might enjoy.

Best!

Lynne

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Permalink Reply by Janet Lansbury on March 5, 2011 at 2:30pm

Hi Lynne!

You are fortunate to have a trend towards hands on, creative learning in your neighborhood schools. Hopefully, that will trend nationally, too.

Thanks for sharing the article and video (finally had the chance to watch!). I love your helpful suggestions for encouraging creativity and inventiveness, especially, "Don't dwell on the realities." My daughter, the photographer I mention in my post who exhibited and sold her photos at age 14, occassionally says, "Mom, there are so many good teenage photographers now with digital." And I always answer, "That doesn't matter. Keep doing what you love. Don't even think about competition, career success, etc." I really believe that we have to keep doing those hobbies that give us joy and believe in our talent. The results will work themselves out.

All the best!

Janet. (And, BTW, you are beautiful and I've always been a big fan of your work!)