Composing Creative Critters
Creativity is all the rage these days, especially when it comes to children, the education system and parenting styles. It's true that the system we have here is very exam focused, somewhat stifling and hence, not very appealing to the right brain. However, it looks like steps are being taken by the folks in charge to try to change that by embedding elements that inspire and open up young brains.
But as parents, how can we help. To be frank, I don't know. We ourselves were raised in a strict regimental world, and the tendency is to impose the same approach on them. Hence, it really takes effort to break the chain. Here are some of the things I try to do.
Be less strict - Ok, this goes against intuition. But really, children don't want to be naughty for no reason (actually, they want to irritate us to death ... haha) but are just experimenting and testing the boundaries. Let them loose - guide and question them if needed. Of course, do punish if they are really getting out of hand, but try to understand the motivations in their little minds.
Stop telling them what to do - We like to be instructors. It's easy to tell them to do it this way, step 1 do this, step 2 do that. But isn't that what we are complaining about? We should set the target and the rules, but let them play the game, make the choices. You know with these little ones, you never know what to expect. When it comes to naughty things, you know they can surprise - the same will be true for the good things too.
Let them talk - We tend to be "shhhh, keep quiet" Asians where children are not encouraged to talk and express themselves. Then we meet the children of Westerners and marvel at the speaking and articulation skills they possess. The trick is that they are allowed, nay asked, nay forced to talked. Ask them open-ended questions about their day, their drawing, their particular choices and let them answer in their own way. Try not to interrupt them but do show that you are listening, paying attention and respecting what they say.
Chay! I sound like an expert parent already. Now, let me know if any of this makes sense at all.
But as parents, how can we help. To be frank, I don't know. We ourselves were raised in a strict regimental world, and the tendency is to impose the same approach on them. Hence, it really takes effort to break the chain. Here are some of the things I try to do.Be less strict - Ok, this goes against intuition. But really, children don't want to be naughty for no reason (actually, they want to irritate us to death ... haha) but are just experimenting and testing the boundaries. Let them loose - guide and question them if needed. Of course, do punish if they are really getting out of hand, but try to understand the motivations in their little minds.
Stop telling them what to do - We like to be instructors. It's easy to tell them to do it this way, step 1 do this, step 2 do that. But isn't that what we are complaining about? We should set the target and the rules, but let them play the game, make the choices. You know with these little ones, you never know what to expect. When it comes to naughty things, you know they can surprise - the same will be true for the good things too.
Let them talk - We tend to be "shhhh, keep quiet" Asians where children are not encouraged to talk and express themselves. Then we meet the children of Westerners and marvel at the speaking and articulation skills they possess. The trick is that they are allowed, nay asked, nay forced to talked. Ask them open-ended questions about their day, their drawing, their particular choices and let them answer in their own way. Try not to interrupt them but do show that you are listening, paying attention and respecting what they say.
Chay! I sound like an expert parent already. Now, let me know if any of this makes sense at all.