In addition to designing handbags, I teach sewing lessons. Lately, I’ve had more children as students. I mostly work with “from scratch” students (they’ve never touched a machine) and beginners (have tried stuff here and there, but want to take lessons and learn more). I have a general lesson plan, but I always ask my students if there’s anything in particular they’d like to work on. While adults may have something in mind, in general, I’ve found them to be very flexible in what they make and how the lessons progress.
But my younger students have a VISION of what they want to make. Whether it’s a rainbow narwhal or a special pillow to give as a gift, they have specific ideas of what they want for size, shape, color, fabric — everything. Not having a lot of experience with teaching children (when I was a mediation trainer, I begged not to be assigned to trainings of high school and younger), this really surprised me. It’s also surprised their parents.
This has made me reflect upon my interactions with my own children. I find that I forget how much they love creative activities (fabric painting, marbling, tie-dying, Perler beads, etc.), and I always overestimate how much direction they need. Part of that, I know, is self-defense. Creativity can be messy, and we’re not always set up to handle that big of a mess. I have to admit, though, that part of it is being in the habit of leading, of it being my job to have the plan or destination in mind and to be the one who gets us there.
I want things to be pretty (even though I’ve had my fair share of regretsy moments in my own crafting life!). And I want things to be “finished” — with something to show at the end. I’m slowly learning. I’m watching my 8-year-old, and I’m seeing that he enjoys his creative time the most when I hand him the supplies and step back. Sometimes he’ll pop up with a question, but usually, all that’s required of me is showing appreciation of his work (and guessing what it is that he’s making).
The biggest barrier I’ve heard from parents is, “I’m just not crafty.” Not being crafty doesn’t have to be a barrier to allowing your children to play with arts and crafts! Here are three ways you can foster your children’s creativity if you’re not a “creative” type.
Sign up for a class
The easy but expensive approach: Pay for a class or hire a private instructor. Tip: Check out your local rec department, public library, or even local “events” pages for free and low-cost children’s crafting events.
Follow an online tutorial
Use your grown-up skills: Look around on the internet. There are written tutorials, videos, and all sorts of people out there who want to teach people about the crafts they love to make. If you’re working with a specific age group, you can even search for crafts by age. Tip: When you’re first trying crafts out, look for tutorials that rely mainly on things you have lying around the house. Don’t invest a lot of money until you know your child is really into the craft.
Find a fellow (crafty) parent
Do a trade-off with a crafty parent. One of my least favorite parent activities is taking the kids to the playground. I’d happily have some kids over for a crafty afternoon in exchange for someone supervising my hellions angels at the playground!
Have you found any secrets to fostering your children’s creativity? Have your children accomplished any creative feats that make you proud? Tell us your story! Show us some pictures!
