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In essence, his message to me was Be Creative. This mantra has served me well in my professional and personal life as it inspires me to think outside the box to find solutions.
What is Creativity?
But what is creativity? We often think of the term in the context of the arts without considering its significance in science, business, or even in relationships. In fact, throughout time creativity was at the essence of major discoveries, innovations and advancements.
The textbook definition for creativity refers to the process through which a person creates something that is original and has some kind of value - whether a work of art, a process or product, an idea or a solution. Creativity was once seen as a matter of divine inspiration and in Greek culture, Muses were seen as mediating inspiration from the Gods.
However, it was not until the 18th century that creativity was linked with the concept of imagination, and then in the 19th Century1 William James developed a theory of creativity, based on Darwinian notions.
According to James, a person needs to generate many ideas with a variety of attributes before arriving at a creative outcome. One can see the relevance of his theory since people usually set out to solve problems using patterns from their past experience whereas talented individuals often approach problems in a multitude of different and unconventional ways.
Early on, children have that same innate abilability to be creative and think outside the box.
How Can Parents Nurture Creativity?
As parents, what can we do to help our children not only maintain their natural creativity but also help nurture and direct it in ways that serve them throughout their lives?
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a contemporary Hungarian American psychology professor, pioneer of ‘positive psychology’ is well known for his work in the study of happiness and creativity. He proposes2 that we are happiest when we are in a state of flow - a state of deep concentration and creativity in which people challenge themselves and deliver their best.
Creativity can be nurtured very early on with toddlers and preschoolers. The way in which we communicate with, and listen to our children influences and encourages their innate creative abilities.
First, we can inspire our children to look beyond what is real. So, instead of giving the kids a ‘bath” every day, this daily routine may one day be an invitation to swim in the ocean, splash under Niagara Falls, or dance about in the pouring rain. With imagination, a couch can become a boat, the bed a fortress, and the ceiling a limitless sky with shooting stars that brighten the night till the break of dawn.
