Six ways to spark your child’s creativity

We talk to Julia Cameron, the American author of the recently published The Artist's Way for Parents: Raising Creative Children, and to Dubai-based empowerment coach Adam Zargar about how to foster a child's imagination.
1 Head outdoors
Simplicity is underrated. "It may feel like we are not giving our children enough by 'only' going to the park," says Cameron. "Sitting on a bench and taking a moment to quickly check our email from our phone, we may feel that our child, who wanders along a path nearby, would be better off in swimming lessons or art class, or practising the violin. All of these things are good, but letting our children take in the details of a flower, or gaze up at a tree where a nest of birds tells a secret story – we allow them to make their own connections and imagine."
2 Avoid hovering and micromanaging play
Sometimes it's important to just stand back. "Letting go may be as simple as allowing your toddler to explore drawing without 'improving' their artwork, or letting him tell you a story without finishing it for him," explains Cameron. Write down five ways you enjoyed playing as a child and then encourage your child to do one of these things. "I felt free when I was allowed to 'perform' an original story for my parents," explains Cameron. "I would create a stage in the middle of the living room, make a grand entrance and tell a story. All they did was laugh and applaud. I can give this experience to my child today by setting that 'stage', asking her to tell a story and doing nothing myself except enjoy the show."
3 Stock up on raw materials
Invest in some building blocks, Lego, clay, crayons, acrylic paints, blank paper and colouring books, then leave your kids to their own devices. "As parents, it falls to us to supply a variety of raw materials for creativity – the simpler, the better. The first and perhaps most powerful tool is blank paper. It can become a drawing, a poem, a boat, a magic carpet, the possibilities are vast. The finished drawing or tepee or hat should be given a place of honour," suggests Cameron.
4 The power of pretend play
Talking to inanimate objects is a great way for your child to expand his imagination. "Making a doll is an ideal way to merge an arts and crafts project with pretend play," explains Cameron. "As your child is making the doll, be it from paper, a sock, a stick, or Lego, interact with your child. Does the doll have a name? Where does the doll live? How old is it? Allowing the doll to have its own backstory gives your child ownership over his invention."
5 Avoid over-scheduling
With little effort we could fill our child's every moment with educational and enlightening activities, but if we over-schedule we leave no room for spontaneity or inspiration. "There is little that can dampen their creative development more than taking away their freedom of choice and experimentation," warns Cameron. "Scheduling our children so that they are exposed to a variety of activities, while being cautious to leave room for their interests to grow, we give them the gift of safety and an environment in which their creativity can develop."
6 Set up a creative area
Providing a local perspective, Adam Zargar, an empowerment coach (www.2blimitless.com), says: "For children up to 11 years old it is important to create an area in the home that belongs to them and fill it with props and costumes that will allow them to use their imagination. Get them to design the area and then make it together. Every month you could redesign and re-theme the area. For example, you could make it look like outer space, or theme it around a historical period."
• Every month Zargar will run Dubai Apprentice, an all-day programme for children ages 8 to 12. The first event will be on Friday at Cascade Learning Centre in JLT
artslife@thenational.ae
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