How creative are children today? It’s one of the lingering questions among parents and teachers, considering how everything they need comes in a silver platter.
2. How creative are children today? It’s one of the lingering questions among parents and
teachers, considering how everything they need comes in a silver platter. In this case, they
can be videos from YouTube or memes on Twitter.
It turns out children can be brimming with creativity even if they spend less time on play.
Their Imagination Lives On
Many studies correlate playtime and creativity. Both, for example, can influence the
development of a child’s imagination. Some people then assume that the popularity of tech
devices and the easy access to the Internet may be curbing playtime and, subsequently,
creativity.
A review conducted by the researchers from Case Western Reserve University in 2012
seemed to prove otherwise. Jessica Dillon and Sandra Russ, psychologists, analyzed over
ten different play studies that spanned more than 20 years since 1985.
One of their discoveries was that children’s use of their imagination didn’t decline. Instead,
they found out a positive outcome: it increased.
3. That’s not all. Many children are also capable of creating more complex and deeper
imaginary worlds than previously thought. This was the finding of the researchers from the
University of Oregon.
Building Imaginary Worlds
The human ability to create paracosms or imaginary worlds is not new, but the previous
assertion showed that they tend to develop later when people already reached their
adulthoods. Older ones then derive their inspiration from their childhood memories to
create their fantasies.
The Oregon research may challenge that belief. They learned about 17% of children from 8
to 12 years old can also display the same behavior.
One possible explanation may be the children’s capacity to create imaginary friends or
personify objects. In their study, paracosms and these pals can co-exist, although the latter
don’t need to be part of their fantasy.
Children can also be detailed about their imaginary worlds complete with endings. They can
also build them even when they’re alone.
4. Imagination, though, doesn’t have limits, and for the children, it may be an excellent way
to socialize. The same research pointed out that these kids are likely to share their
“adventures” with others merely because they enjoy them.
Helping Them Improve Their Creativity
From these two studies, one can deduce that children will always be open to play and
creativity.
It doesn’t mean it doesn’t need nurturing — both types of research highlight one
technique: unstructured time.
Children need their own space and must be left to their own devices. They also require
sufficient time to explore their surroundings with the least manipulation from the older
adults around them.
5. Parents and teachers can also consider using the best approach when buying presents.
Presents for children should build their intellectual and physical skills, entertain, stimulate
their imagination, or teach socialization or team-centric playtime.
This makes self-published student books one of the practical gift options. Kids can develop
their own stories, which can enhance their storytelling skills and even come up with their
respective illustrations.
Once published, children have the option to share these stories with their friends and
family members. Teachers and parents can also use this method to track their children’s
creativity over time as they can have hard copies as proof of their growth.
There’s so much a child can do with their creativity, but they need the adults to help them
unlock the opportunities.
