1. Listen to their latest short story.
If your child rushes to your side begging you to read their latest story, give them your undivided attention. Match their excitement level and schedule a time to sit with them so that they may share their work without distraction. Your response to their achievement will make all the difference in the world regarding whether your child continues to grow in this area or wilts away. The last thing you want is to make a child feel that their work is unimportant or frivolous. Because their work is an extension of who they are, this will feel like personal rejection, causing lasting damage.
2. Enroll them in a creative writing course.
If your child showed an interest and gift in basketball, he would be on a team quicker than you could say swish. The same should hold true for your writer. Go to your local library or YMCA and inquire about writing workshops, (Lift2Enrich offers free or low-cost workshops online or in the Atlanta Metro area). You can also start your own writers’ club.
3. Go to book festivals.
Nothing excites a creative writer more than the thrill of a book festival. Children will love meeting authors and immersing themselves in a fictitious world. Meeting other book lovers makes your child feel included as though he/she is in an exclusive group. Writing can be a lonely profession, so any time your child gets to socialize with other creative people, this will fuel them.
4. Visit the library.
Your child will become inspired to continue writing if they constantly see books written by others. Find a child author and read their work. There might even be a way to contact other kid authors and have them virtually sit in on your writing club.
5. Break up the routine.
Boredom is the antithesis to creativity. If you want to keep the inspiration going, ensure that your child has the opportunity to stimulate their brain.
6. Play brain games.
Fun brain games help keep your brain sharp. There are many apps if you want to go technical. Or pick up an old-school board game like Jr. Scrabble or Quiddler. You’ll not only have fun, but everyone will build a stronger vocabulary.
7. Pick their brain.
Listen to your child’s opinion. Ask them questions and when they answer, ask why. Dig deeper and allow your child to express themselves. Give them challenging life questions that you think they may not be ready for. Creative kids have the answers.
8. Give them space.
Allow them to have alone time to daydream. Whether it is outside, in their room, or under a home-made tent, give them alone time to sort through the hundreds of creative ideas that run through their mind daily.
9. Be spontaneous.
Surprise your creative child with a trip to the park. Sit and chat with them over an ice cream cone or bike ride through the neighborhood. Surprise them and offer to experience life with them. Of course, you will know it is planned but they will think you are the cool parent wiling to throw caution to the wind for them.
10. Speak words of encouragement.
Encourage your child at every chance. Creative children can get trapped in their own world and it may be hard to get them engaged. They can be their own worst enemy and feel their work is never good enough. They may even be hesitant to show you their work. Don’t force it. Just be patient and keep lifting them up.