How to develop creativity in a child: advice from Julia Cameron

“I grew up in a creative home. We had any materials for creativity, musical instruments. My mother knew when to keep us busy, when to step aside and not interfere. Parents never said, “Are you sure you need help?” They behaved as if creativity was a completely natural process. As a result, all seven children, including me, work in the creative field,” says writer Julia Cameron in an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian.

In his latest book, The Artist Is in Everyone: How to Cultivate Creativity in Everyone¹, written specifically at the request of readers, Julia Cameron recommends to both adults and children her three famous practices, already described in her best-selling book The Artist’s Way.². What are these practices?

1. Morning pages. Its essence is that every morning after waking up (or a paragraph during the day), you write three pages of text, expressing everything that comes to your mind in a free style. Thus, you learn to better understand yourself, unload the subconscious and analyze your own emotions.

2. Creative adventures. Once a week, plan a trip with your children to some place: go to a museum, theater, park, city aquarium, planetarium, anywhere. At the same time, the expedition does not have to be associated with high art. This is a way to open up to the world and get enough of new experiences.

3. Night ritual “Bright moments”. Before or after reading at night, you tell your child about the most memorable and enjoyable event of the day and ask him to do the same. So we get used to enjoy life and thank her for all the good things that happen to us.

Julia Cameron emphasizes that the job of parents is to encourage, not correct. For example, if a child draws a green horse, do not tell him that horses are not green. Just express admiration for the drawing.

“Striving for perfection, perfectionism is the most dangerous stopper of creative activity. We are humans, we are imperfect by definition. We must accept that our work will always be imperfect in some way. Therefore, you should not demand masterpieces from the child the first time. He must understand that the more time he devotes to the creative process, the more he works on himself, the better the result. — the writer says.

What to do?

Establish an emotional connection with children, help them to open up creatively and avoid traumas that may subsequently prevent them from realizing their innermost plans, — adult task.

From Julia Cameron’s book, there are dozens of specific creativity tips and exercises that work equally well for creators big and small:

– Make a list of your favorite activities. Now name five things that interest your child but are far from your understanding. Try consciously not to make them a part of your life, but support him in their development.

– Do not be afraid to leave the children to themselves (ensuring their safety). Sometimes non-intervention is just as useful as active interaction.

“Creativity requires structure. Freedom is born from restrictions. Creating a safe haven, a space where our children can dream, play, make a mess and clean up after themselves, teaches them respect for themselves and those around them.

“We put too much pressure on children from a very young age. Overloading them: piano lessons, football, tutors. I am convinced that children need one hour of free time a day when they can do whatever they want.

– Walk with the children. 20 minutes of walking a day stimulates creativity and helps to establish a closer relationship with the child.

¹ J. Cameron, A. Lively “There is an artist in everyone. How to nurture creativity in children” (Mann, Ivanov and Ferber, 2014).

² J. Cameron “The way of the artist. Your creative workshop (Livebook, 2014).