As our Thinking Space is getting started, I thought we'd begin with some quick and fundamental tips. As parents and educators, fostering creativity in children involves creating an environment that encourages imagination, exploration, and a love for learning. Research shows that creative thinking can boost social skills, academic performance, and emotional well-being, with lifelong benefits.

Here are five science-backed strategies to nurture creativity in children you can apply today and see immediate results.

1. Embrace the Power of Free Play

Free play is a vital part of a child's development. It’s a time when they can explore the world on their own terms, with no set rules or outcomes. This unstructured, child-led play allows children to use their imagination fully, whether it’s building towers from blocks, creating imaginary worlds with dolls, or simply daydreaming.

Studies have shown that free play is crucial for cognitive development and problem-solving skills. A study published in the American Journal of Play highlights that free play fosters flexible thinking, self-regulation, and creativity because it lets children discover possibilities without limitations or specific goals. By providing ample time for free play, parents and educators give children the freedom to explore, which is foundational for creative growth.

So, maybe resist the temptation to correct your child's play or instruct them to follow those Lego instructions? And what about inviting some problem-solving when they come to you for a solution to the missing wheel of a car?

2. Compliment the Process and Attitude, Not Just the Outcome

Sure, it is easy to be impressed by a beautiful painting, a well-built castle and a dazzling skate trick. But, as it turns out, mastering the processes that lead to those results matters more. This is not to say we should not recognize and celebrate the achievements of our children, but a reminder to observe and encourage the tenacity, the structure they create and the learning process that enable those achievements.

Our praise should focus on the effort, creativity, and problem-solving strategies children use rather than just the final result. Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset at Stanford University has shown that when we emphasize how a child approached a task—such as their use of colors in a drawing, their persistence in solving a puzzle, or their innovation in building a fort—we highlight the value of creativity, perseverance, and learning. For instance, saying, “I love how you tried different ways to solve that problem” encourages children to value the learning process and take pride in their efforts.

This mindset shift helps them understand that success is not just about getting things right but about exploring and learning, which are critical components of creativity. It also helps us parents in feeling less guilty when we don't get things just right. By focusing on the process, not the product so much, we more clearly realize the progress we've made, and feel more motivated to keep at it.

3. Ask Open-Ended Questions to Stimulate Thinking

Open-ended questions are powerful tools for developing creative thinking. Questions like “What would happen if…?” or “Why do you think…?” invite children to think deeply and explore various possibilities. These questions encourage children to look beyond the obvious answers and consider different perspectives, sparking their curiosity and imagination. It is particularly helpful in the development of divergent thinking, one of the most important elements of creative thinking, which will get a lot more attention in upcoming posts.

There is plentiful research on the role of open-ended questions in the development of critical thinking. For instance, an article published in the Journal of Physics suggests that open-ended questioning techniques improve divergent thinking and problem-solving in mathematical creative thinking. Not only did students come up with different forms of solving problems, using metacognitive strategies helped them think more deeply and consciously about them.

There might be a few abilities to train for us parents. For example, maybe make a habit of, after reading a story together, asking “What do you think the character could do next?” or “How would you end this story?” These types of questions not only engage children in critical thinking but also empower them to express their unique ideas, which is essential for creative development. Maybe transferring that to other daily activities, like "How might you feel safer/more confident learning to slackline?" or "What other flavors could be tasty with carrots?".

4. Encourage Independence by Letting Them Figure It Out

One of the best ways to nurture creativity is to allow children the space to solve problems on their own. This autonomy teaches them that they are capable of finding solutions and fosters a sense of independence and confidence.

Psychological research, such as this one published in the Annual Review of Psychology back in 2011, emphasizes the need for environments that encourage problem-solving from a young age, suggesting that early independent problem-solving activities can foster cognitive development, and has found that children who are given the freedom to explore solutions independently tend to develop higher levels of creative problem-solving skills.

Whether it's figuring out how to build a more stable block tower or coming up with their own creative play scenarios, children learn to think outside the box when they’re given the chance to tackle challenges independently. Instead of jumping in to fix things immediately, offer support by asking guiding questions and let them navigate the solution process. This approach helps children develop resilience, flexibility, and creative problem-solving skills.

5. Build a Rich Repertoire of Experience

A rich repertoire of experiences is like a garden full of diverse plants, each representing different ideas and knowledge. In the book Lila and the Extraordinary Pinwheel, Lila’s garden symbolizes the accumulated experiences and knowledge that inspire new ideas.

According to cognitive psychology, having a broad base of knowledge and experiences enhances creativity by providing more material for the mind to draw upon when making connections and generating new ideas. In a highly cited article, researchers have made a great case for how multicultural experience enhances creativity.

Start by exposing your children to diverse experiences—such as reading different types of books, exploring nature, visiting museums, trying new arts and crafts, or engaging in different cultural activities— to expand their creative toolkit. The more varied their experiences, the more resources they will have to draw upon when thinking creatively. These experiences fill their minds with a wealth of inspiration and allow their imaginations to flourish.

In conclusion, fostering creativity in children is about more than just encouraging them to draw or play. It involves creating an environment that values exploration, questions, and a growth mindset. By embracing free play, focusing on the process, asking open-ended questions, allowing children to solve problems independently, and building a rich repertoire of experiences, parents and educators can help cultivate creativity. This creativity will not only help children succeed academically and socially but will also empower them to face future challenges with confidence and innovation. Let's nurture these gifts in every child, starting today.