There is no doubt that a creative education is critical for society. A recent study by Adobe revealed that 82% of business leaders believe that creativity is the most important skill for the future of work. By teaching students how to think creatively, we are giving them the ability to come up with new solutions to problems and create positive change in the world. So how do you ensure your child gets a creative education?
Previously, studying creative subjects through schooling was seen to be soft and ‘nice to have’, but not essential. As a result, school curriculums gradually changed, favoring the ‘hard’ subjects of science and math. Too often still, schools focus on standardized tests and rote memorization instead of teaching students how to be creative thinkers.
But now, the creative economy is booming. Jobs in the creative economy now account for 7% of total jobs, and the sector is expanding five times faster than any other sector. It is widely appreciated that creative and critical thinking will be the answer to many of the world’s problems. People with these skills could find themselves working for almost any industry that is out there, from engineering to space exploration.
Many parents find that schools are not preparing students adequately for jobs in the creative economy. So how can you ensure your child gets the skills they need to thrive in our future world?
Find The Right School
The first step is to find a school that values creativity and offers opportunities for students to explore their creative side. This might be a school that has arts and music programs, one that emphasizes project-based learning, or private schools that focus on a humanist, musical or creative education.
It is also important to look for a school that has teachers who are passionate about creativity and are willing to help students develop their skills. These teachers should be using innovative teaching methods and encouraging students to think outside the box.
Encourage Creativity At Home
It is also important to encourage creativity at home. This can be done by providing opportunities for your child to express themselves creatively, such as through art, music, or writing. You can also help them develop their creative skills by encouraging them to come up with new ideas, solve problems in different ways, and think outside the box. This is an important aspect of creativity, because art is just one facet of a creative education.
Encouraging entrepreneurship and engagement with society’s issues can be a brilliant way of developing a creative and critical mindset in your children. Setting them challenges during the school holidays could be a great way to develop this. Task them to find different uses from the trash you throw away in your household. Or join a coding for kids class online together, to understand how technology works and how it can be applied in innovative ways.
Explore Extracurricular Activities
There are also many extracurricular activities that can help develop creativity. These include things like drama, dance, and music classes, as well as art and design classes. It is important to find an activity that your child enjoys and that they can stick with for a while. This will give them the opportunity to really explore their creative side and develop their skills.
It is also important to encourage your child to be persistent and not give up when they are faced with a challenge. This is an important skill for creativity, because it allows children to keep trying new things until they find something that works.
Create Time For Free Play
In a world of structures and timetables, it is especially important to ensure that your child has time for free play. This is because free play is essential for creativity. It allows children to explore their imaginations, try new things, and make mistakes. Free play also helps children develop problem-solving skills and learn how to cooperate with others.
Scientists have even found that free play can help children develop resilience, as they learn how to cope with failure and setbacks. It can even help them to thrive academically, because it allows them to practice critical thinking and develop their own learning strategies.
Encourage Curiosity
It is also important to encourage curiosity in your child. This means encouraging them to ask questions, explore new things, and be open to different ideas. Curiosity is an important part of creativity, because it allows children to come up with new ideas and think outside the box.
You can nurture curiosity by asking lots of questions yourself. If you discuss the things you see when you’re out together, it shows children that you don’t know everything, and that anything in the world is up for discussion.
A creative education is critical for society because it helps children develop the skills they need to thrive in our future world. Creative skills are essential for solving problems and creating positive change in the world. There are many things children can do in their younger years that will enable them to come up with new ideas and think from different perspectives.