“Every child is an artist. The problem is staying an artist when you grow up.” ~ Pablo Picasso
Instilling Creative Confidence in Kids
As an adult, I’ve never seen myself as creative. Somehow growing up I lost any confidence I had in creativity. However, I’m determined to do my best at instilling creative confidence in my kids. My desire to help them see themselves as artists has given me the strength to try to see myself as one too, especially since children learn so much from what we show them.
Modeling Creativity
I started by art journalling with them about a year ago. This was so hard for me. My organized, systematic, over-thinking self had a very hard time putting that pencil to paper. But, over time, it became easier and more fun, and I learned to stop judging myself. We also visit museums when we can and talk about what we see. We love to carry sketchbooks around in case we run across something that inspires us. And I try my best to watch what I say~ not to say that their artwork is “good” or “I like it”, but instead to comment on what I notice or ask them questions about their creations.
Sketching at the local museum
Using Books
I’ve also found that children respond so well to books. They are really good at connecting life events to what they’ve read in stories. This is why I absolutely love these 3 books~ they demonstrate different ways to be creative. Both Lucy and Theo enjoy listening to these stories and connect with them often. (Commentary by Lucy, age 5, in green)
Our 3 Favorite Children’s Books That Inspire Creativity
(For you convenience, this post contains links to books from Amazon where I am an affiliate member.)Beautiful Oops!
Such a fun book! This interactive books shows it’s okay to make a mistake and, with some creativity, you can even turn turn a mistake into something else. Now whenever Lucy makes a ‘mistake’, I often hear her say , “Beautiful oops!”
Not a Box
What can you do with just a plain box? A lot if you use your imagination! Great lesson for kids (and adults)! It reminds me of our Create Box system we have at home.
“It’s all about this bunny who has a box. He calls it a ‘not a box’ because it’s not just a box to him. He can pretend with it.”
Harold and the Purple Crayon 50th Anniversary Edition (Purple Crayon Books)
I’ve always loved this book and am so excited to get to share my enjoyment of it with my children. It’s so fun to read and see where Harold’s purple crayon takes him!
“It’s all about this boy who has a purple crayon and sometimes he uses it to draw things and then they come to life.”
The books below we don’t yet own, but are next on our list to get!
Not a Stick
by Antoinette Portis
Ish
by Peter H. Reynolds
Willow by Denise Brennan-Nelson
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
Do you have any favorite books that inspire creativity?
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Jeanette Nyberg says
May 14, 2013 at 8:39 amThese are great books! (And The Dot is one of my favorites.) I completely love using books as a creativity tool for kids- you’re right; they respond so well to them and it’s fun to see what they do with them.
Chelsey says
May 15, 2013 at 9:49 pmSo glad to hear you like The Dot. Will for sure have to get that one soon!
Bonnie says
May 14, 2013 at 10:27 amI remember the Purple Crayon book from when I was a kid!
Chelsey says
May 15, 2013 at 9:49 pmMe too! I just loved that book, and it’s so fun to see Lucy now enjoying it.
Stephanie says
May 14, 2013 at 5:03 pmWhat a great post! I love the idea of using books to foster creative confidence in children. Thanks for the great book suggestions, and your children are so lucky to have you!
Chelsey says
May 15, 2013 at 9:48 pmThanks so much, Stephanie! Lucy seems to respond so well to messages in books. I hope Theo follows along in her footsteps.
Sarah says
May 14, 2013 at 5:50 pmWonderful ideas for inspiring creativity. I have always thought of the journal idea but just need to get one. Visiting from tot school tuesday!
Chelsey says
May 15, 2013 at 9:47 pmThanks so much for visiting, Sarah! The journal has been such a fun experience!
Talia says
May 16, 2013 at 10:44 amBeautiful Oops is one of my (oops, Lior’s!! 😉 most treasured books!! I love it!
Valerie says
May 18, 2013 at 5:26 amJust had to read your post. I find myself buying lots of beautiful books and hey…if they can inspire creativity on top of it…I won’t complain! 🙂 I will definitely be checking out the ones we don’t currently own! Thanks for sharing on Mom’s Library!
PragmaticMom says
May 18, 2013 at 12:24 pmWhat a nice list of books that inspire kids’ imaginations!
The Monko says
May 21, 2013 at 12:51 pmthanks for sharing this post. My sister and I have always been quite confident creatively so it never occurred to me before that this is something you have to nurture and promote. You have really made me think. I will have to look at how I can ensure I keep Goblin’s creative spark alive. Thanks
I’m sharing this on the Sunday Parenting Party Pinterest board.
Chelsey says
May 23, 2013 at 1:30 pmThanks so much for sharing. Isn’t it funny how we all can be so different when it comes to our confidence in creativity. I think I’m especially nervous when the kids get older and are around other kids at school where they may face a bit more judgement. I’m hoping feeling secure in herself now may help with that.
Carrie says
May 23, 2013 at 7:21 amWhat great books!! It is so important to let kids know it is good to be creative even with a mistake. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!
Jennifer Fischer says
May 25, 2013 at 3:16 pmI love the books you shared and recently featured them in my Summer Reading List post. I also love the book Art & Max by David Weisner.
Chelsey says
May 28, 2013 at 4:25 pmThank you so much for sharing the book list, Jennifer. And I have not heard of Art & Max before. I can’t wait to check it out! Thanks for the book suggestion!