What is creativity and why are creative skills important for kids?

Creativity is like a superpower — it's the ability to think outside the box, come up with unique ideas, and express oneself in a truly creative way.  And guess what?  It's not just a fun pastime; creative skills are crucial for your child to thrive in school, work, and life.  As parents, it's our job to nurture and foster our children's creativity from an early age so that they can grow into well-rounded individuals.  Lucky for us, one of the most effective ways to do this is through the magic of art and craft activities!

The benefits of arts and crafts for kids' creative development

Arts and crafts have been cherished for centuries, but in today's digital age, these creative activities have become even more important for developing children’s creative thinking and fine motor skills.  Engaging in simple yet creative activities like drawing, colouring, and painting can help children think outside the box.  These hands-on activities also spark their curiosity, ignite their imaginations and develop essential problem-solving skills — all while having a blast!

Creative skill development by age group – From toddlers to teens

As parents, we're always eager to support our children as they develop their creative skills, but it can be challenging to know what to expect at each age.  That's where our knowledgeable friend Sharon Westin, an Art Teacher from Art Classes Australia, comes to the rescue.  Together, we've put together a handy guide to help you understand your child's creative abilities and fine motor skills at different stages of their development.  Sharon also shares invaluable insights to help your child unleash their creative potential during each phase.

Let's dive into what you can expect:

By 3 years old:

At this age, kids are just starting to leave their mark on the world.  They may scribble with crayons or pencils, so it's best to provide chunky versions that suit their adorable fist-like grip.  It's also important to opt for washable inks and markers with child-safe lids to avoid any colourful mishaps!  While they may experiment by scribbling on every surface and even swallowing anything colourful (it happens!), they can also draw basic shapes like circles, dots, lines, squiggles, and crosses.  Turning pages in a book, one at a time, is another milestone you can expect.

By 4 years old:

Four-year-olds are becoming increasingly curious about colour, making it the perfect time for introducing colour theory.  Try overlaying coloured cellophane sheets or mixing primary-coloured paints to pique their interest.  You might wonder if having fewer paints or pens means less mess to clean up, but Sharon insists that providing a wide range of colours and asking them questions about mixing certain colours before using them works wonders for their creative minds.  At this age, kids can copy basic shapes like squares and triangles, and they start tracing patterns.  They can also colour within the lines of drawings, but they often seek more challenging options. “If it is too basic, they search for more. They either add to the pictures using their imagination, ask questions about what else they can do, or ask for something more.” says Sharon.

By 5 years old:

As children reach the age of five, their understanding of colour theory can be further expanded.  Sharon suggests, “Practical exercises in mixing colours so they can see the outcome is the best way I have found.  This could be with pastels, ink, paint and pencil.”   When it comes to colour choice, don't worry about overwhelming them — Sharon assures us that having many colours available usually leads to vivid imaginations: “I haven't seen any overwhelm when they have many colours available. I usually see their minds exploding with ideas on how to use the variety in front of them.”

Five-year-olds can copy letters and numbers, cut paper with a more mature grip using their thumb and first three fingers, and engage in simple puzzles with larger pieces.  They can also thread smaller beads onto fine string or wire.  At this stage, children tend to gravitate towards more detailed pictures and patterns, making it a great time to introduce them to books with intricate illustrations like the 'Where's Wally' series or engaging in mindfulness colouring activities.  “Whether it is colouring them in or creating them, they seem to love these.” says Sharon.

Beyond 5 years old:

As your child continues to grow, their creative skills and fine motor abilities will flourish into adolescence.  By the age of 12, they usually have the coordination and strength to undertake tasks like writing for extended periods, playing musical instruments, using a keyboard, and engaging in detailed craftwork.  However, it's important to remember that consistent practice is key.  When children regularly participate in creative activities, their fine motor skills develop more rapidly, and their ability to think creatively improves.

How to continue developing your child's creative skills

Guess what?  There's a simple yet powerful activity that can provide a wide range of developmental benefits for your child — colouring!  Not only does colouring help develop fine motor skills, but it's also a quiet, affordable, and healthy way to stimulate their creative minds.  Luckily, there's a modern alternative to traditional colouring books called Re-FUN-able™ Colouring Sets.  These sets offer reusable surfaces that can be wiped clean, again and again.  The gender-neutral designs captivate kids for hours, and the non-stick surface makes them perfect for crafts, games, messy play, and even mealtimes.  And the best part?  They're dishwasher-safe, making clean-up a breeze.  It's a game-changer for keeping boredom at bay!

Now, you might be wondering how else you can challenge your child's creativity and unlock their full potential.  According to Sharon, “Ask them questions about their work.  Use positive affirmations, never saying they have done something wrong.  I teach my students that there are no mistakes in art.  It's all part of their expression and we can always work out ways to change it if they are not happy with it.”  In art, it’s important to create an environment where kids feel supported, valued, and encouraged to explore their imagination freely.  “If a child feels they aren't good at it, they are less likely to show what they are capable of...” Sharon says.

From scribbles to masterpieces

Developing creative skills in children sets the stage for a successful future.  Now that you have a better understanding of the creative skills kids develop throughout childhood, you can provide them with appropriate resources and activities that match their age and abilities.  This ensures that you're not wasting money on products with limited appeal or unintentionally stifling your child's creativity, but instead extending their potential to new horizons.