Have you ever felt that you are not creative? Are phrases such as ‘I can’t do it’, ‘I can’t draw’, ‘I don’t have any more ideas’ and ‘I am just not creative’, part of your vocabulary? If the answer is yes, then know that you are not alone. Many of us have doubts about our creative abilities but the good news is that we were all born creative with an inherent curiosity and endless imagination. Creativity doesn’t only belong to certain people such as an artist or a musician. Creativity is a human characteristic which allows us to find solutions to everyday problems. It enables us to see two sides of the coin, take risks, and face fears. It also contributes dramatically to our wellbeing.
Most child-development theories view young children as highly creative with a natural tendency to fantasise, experiment and explore their environment. However, this high level of creativity is not necessarily maintained throughout childhood and into adulthood. So how can we, as adults, support and maintain a high level of creativity in children, so that they can grow up and keep that creative spark?