by Tiffany Snyder

Are you a creative parent? Do you think your child/ren are creative but consider yourself someone who can barely draw a stick figure? Hear me out on how this fixed mindset is worth changing.   Wherever you are creatively, we can all benefit mentally and emotionally from using our creative power.

I’d like to debunk common misconceptions about creativity I hear from parents. First, the notion that creativity is hereditary. Sure, your daughter might enjoy art like you do, but that doesn’t mean she “Got it from you”! Possibly she was exposed to the activity at an impactful time and the environment might have inspired her … or, she could have more opportunities to practice and therefore improve … or maybe she had a mentor or peer complimenting her efforts and showing her tips.

If your child doesn’t enjoy art, the opposite influences could be the cause. Although uncomfortable, one possibility could be they notice you being critical about yourself and your creativity.

Perfectionism in parents manifests in children not wanting to try for fear they will not be good enough. Similarly, being exposed to crafts and projects with only one sample or possible outcome could have this effect. As much as I love guided drawing videos, the outcomes give very little room for different results. The best art prompts for creative growth have completely unique finished products.

The simple truth is that skills and craftsmanship develop and improve relative to the amount of time invested or spent practicing. We are ALL practicing! Acknowledging this fosters a growth mindset, arguably the most important piece of achieving any goal and overcoming challenges no matter their size.

So how do we fix this? First, be aware and willing to practice a growth mindset. Already this year, your child has likely created something from art class or a general classroom , so talk about their art. If you have a child under 8, try asking, “Tell me about your art” or “What is your favorite part?” Asking “What is it?” is the worst way to encourage practicing artists!

The next stage of development might involve asking, “What steps did you take to create this? Ask older teens to tell you what was easy for them, what was hard, or how they would change it if they could. From my experience, middle school and high school students enjoy art prompts that allow them to identify who they are and the activities they enjoy.

Always thank your child for sharing their art, and mention you are proud of them for expressing themselves. If you are involved in a step-by-step creation, always encourage their individual ideas to change the outcome. “How can we make this something that represents YOU?” 

If your child is resistant to participate or already thinks they aren’t good enough or can’t do it, what can you do? Practice making mistakes and solving them together. Drawing from observation is great for practicing positive self-talk and perseverance. All you need is paper and a pencil/pen. Willing parents are amazing, especially if you feel you aren’t an artist. If you are creating art, you ARE at that moment a practicing artist. Like any athlete, practice determines how far you go. While praise and prizes might ignite temporary motion, lasting motivation must come from within.

Showing your children you are not afraid to try something new, look silly, make mistakes, persist and try again is so powerful! With a drawing exercise, the risk is low because it is just a piece of paper. Every time you practice the thinking skills and positive self-talk of handling a problem or mistake on paper, your self- confidence in other ventures increases too.

Here are a few affirmations to say and model frequently with your child before starting something new, challenging, or scary:

“Let’s see what happens when I give my best effort.”

“I can do hard things!”

“It might feel hard now, but the more I practice, the easier this gets!”

When you draw a line that is “off” or your finished drawing looks nothing like the object, try these:

“I did my best, and I am proud of my effort.”

“I am resilient; I will keep trying!”

“No worries. This is just practice, and I’m having fun!”

In a world of consumerism and influencers, to be creative is to see, perceive your place and take action. Self-awareness and creative pursuits are the strongest medicine for what ails us, as individuals, in family relationships, or in the community. Practicing a skillset while modeling growth mindset responses to new or challenging experiences empowers us and children!

Activity Highlight

Observational Drawing: Pick a fall item—a leaf, pumpkin, corncob or other decoration. First, observe it with your family. Everyone shares something they see. Talk about the shape, size and colors. Then set a timer for 5 minutes and agree no put-downs allowed. Draw the general shape first, and then fill it in with smaller details after. Model the growth mindset affirmations above with your child.

Creative Challenge: Freeform draw (no stencils!) as many different jack-o-lantern designs as you can in 10-minutes. Vote on your favorite to use on your family pumpkin!

Tiffany Snyder is a returning resident of Stockbridge. She taught K-8 art in West Michigan for 15 years and now enjoys being a toddler- mom and teaching “Art for Your Mind” classes.