“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.
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! by Barney Saltzberg
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!”
“It has oopsies in it. It teaches you that sometimes oopsies can be good.”
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
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) by Crockett Johnson
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