There’s a growing appreciation for creativity, collaboration and critical thinking in schools. 

These skills are naturally abundant in children, but they sometimes need bringing out to the surface and fostering, so they can grow and thrive. Some children’s creativity is forever flowing, while others can benefit from a little more inspiration. 

Creative Skills in the 11-Plus 

School entrance tests are increasingly testing the creative skills of their applicants. In addition to testing cognitive potential, creative potential is being assessed in short burst activities. 

For example:

• Creative comprehension (11+ London Consortium Analysis)
• Scenarios (no right or wrong answer)
• Problem solving

This assessment style gives schools a fuller picture of a child’s potential. I think it  also sends an important message to children: that these skills are valuable (and fun) areas to develop. 

I see many children who prefer maths at school consider themselves to be less creative than their peers. I simply don’t believe this is true. 

These children often benefit from more encouragement to explore their creative potential. As a parent you can help your child by letting them know it’s ok not to have all the answers. It’s ok not to know a meaning of a word. This thinking will encourage a more experimental mindset in your child.

You can try saying:

• I’ve no idea what the word means. How could we find out?
• What about asking Siri?
• What about looking it up in your dictionary?
• How about jotting the word down (and its meaning) in your journal?

Being available to your child after school will help support their self-esteem. Even if they don’t want to talk, (which is completely normal, especially if their head is full of all of the activities they’ve done in the day) simply knowing you’re emotionally available, whenever they need you, is enough.

Creative pursuits can help your child:

• Improve confidence (academic and personal)
• Improve academic attainment across the curriculum
• Empower a sense of self
• Develop self-awareness
• Build character (develop grit, courage and individuality)
• Develop expressive language
• Process thoughts and feelings
• Develop empathy for others
• Satisfy a creative ‘itch’
• Build motor skills

Elevate Your Child’s Creativity 

Home-based activities:

Reading

Reading fiction helps develop your child’s critical thinking skills and their understanding of human behaviour. It’s also great for inspiring children with fantastic ideas for their own creative writing. Your child can pick books they like of to read or listen to audio stories (great for hearing how words are pronounced). 

Get to know your character with 5 questions….

What would your character want for their birthday?

What would your character invent? 

What would they do if they won the lottery?

Would they have a dog or prefer to be a dog?

Would they choose to stay in or go out on Friday evening?

Keep a Journal

Encourage your child to draw or scribble down their ideas for stories or poems. This may      work especially well during school holidays.  Let them know the journal is their own free writing. To motivate, keep it fun and light, without pressure to spell every word correctly. Simply let them enjoy expressing themselves in their own style.

Get Cooking!

Let your child’s creativity run free with some cooking or baking. They’ll love experimenting with flavours and tasting the results of their efforts. Great hands-on fun!

Down Time

Optimise the benefits of structured creative activities by giving your child the space to absorb their experiences. Have no screen-time and see what your child is naturally drawn to doing.

Have a Dress-up Box 

Have a chest/box or wardrobe filled with various clothes. You can pick up some unique pieces from charity shops. Your child may love dressing up in different costumes, creating different looks. 

Sharing Work

Your child will enjoy sharing what they have written – perhaps even reading some of their work out loud to you. Praise them for their efforts to continue building their creative confidence. 

Encourage Experimentation

Whilst quiet children may find new experiences challenging, it doesn’t mean they don’t want to give things a go. They may benefit from a little extra encouragement to try new things. Start small, for example, introducing them to some new and exciting foods. Focus on building their confidence slowly but surely. Positive experiences will build their confidence – remind them of these good times. 

Tune Into Their Interests

Your child’s interests may be different to your own, but that’s okay. It would be boring if we all liked doing the same things. Let them explore their own interests to help build their creative confidence and sense of independence. 

Music Appreciation

Playing music at home is a lovely way for your child to develop their own appreciation for music. Playing or listening to music is a great way for children to unwind and express their emotions in a fun and satisfying way. 

Book Creator App

If your child loves using technology to enhance their learning then embrace it. Not all screen time is bad, used wisely, it can be wonderfully creative and productive for children’s development. The Book Creator App allows children to make their own interactive story book  at a time that suits them.

Outside of Your Home 

Fresh Air 

Having plenty of fresh air is so beneficial for children’s mental state. Going for a walk in a natural open space with your child is a relaxing way to have a chat, away from the usual home environment. This may be especially beneficial for children who have a few siblings living under the same roof.

Fresh air is both energising and relaxing, helping children with their creative flow. 

If you’re staying Devon for May half-term, why not visit the New Nature Trail at Sandridge Barton Vineyard? Fun activities for parents and children alike. 

May Half-term Workshops & Events 

Language, art, dance, whatever appeals to your child’s imagination, give it a go. They’ll enjoy meeting like-minded individuals and will leave oozing with creativity. 

Barnes Literature festival 24th- 25th June 

Pop along for some family fun activities and meet lots of authors, including favourites Cressida Cowell and Michael Morpurgo. You can book your tickets online. 

Paperbirds Art Classes and Art – K Holiday Classes

For some hands-on art fun, look no further than Paperboards and Art- K.  In various locations, including Putney, Fulham and Wimbledon. Try out clay, water colour, acyclic, and mixed media. They provide fun classes allowing children to learn the benefits of spending time on refining a technique. 

Art Appreciation

Introduce your child to different art galleries. Look out for upcoming workshops for families in local galleries. 

The National Gallery:  Decoding Pictures: A Family Tour

An event to help families get the most out of their gallery visits. Forget boring and learn how to embrace the art decking the walls. This is a FREE event with limited tickets available. 

William Morris Gallery: Creative kids sessions ‘Elevate the Everyday’

These are free, drop-in events for families over May half-term. 

Drama Classes

Does your child show an interest in Drama at school? How about giving them the opportunity to enjoy some Drama classes outside of their school setting?  Drama lessons can boost your child’s confidence and self-esteem. You may be surprised to see the positive effects Drama classes can have on your child’s academic work, too. 

Summary 

There is such a wide variety of half-term workshop fun on offer – something to suit every child. Even if you’re having a chilled half-term, your child’s creativity can flourish at home, too. A clear mind has room for creative exploration. 😄 

Interested in a fun story structure writing course for your child? Email clare@creativehare.co.uk  for some more information.

Children will learn how to plan and use their ideas effectively in their writing. The course is perfect for children who are preparing for their 11+ English exam, as well as ambitious young writers who love to write and relish learning.

What has helped inspire your child’s creativity? I’d love to hear, so get in touch to let me know. 

Happy half-term everyone!