Before we talk about ways to increase creativity it is important to understand what is creativity or the definition of creativity.
Creativity is the ability to conjure up new ideas and methods of doing or making something. It could be a unique way of handling a problem, innovating something new, or simply a new art piece. People think creativity is inherently related to forms of art. This is not entirely right, one could also do monotonous tasks such as calculating, teaching, managing, etc, in a creative way. One big part of creativity is a vivid imagination. Creative people tend to daydream more. Imagination opens the doors to Highly creative people who tend to be unconventional in their thinking and approach to life, main reason for that is, they like originality and asymmetry in nature, instead of following the path others have already taken, they come up with new routes.
What is the link between Creativity and Intelligence?
While Intelligence is about using existing knowledge to find solutions, Creativity is about coming up with new concepts and using them to solve problems, it is about being innovative. Creative thinking is not too far away from logical or Analytical thinking. High creativity requires high or above-average intelligence.
6 ways to increase creativity in students
1. Inspire students to be experimental with their Ideas
Experimentation is the Key to bringing new ideas to life. Creativity requires research, courage, risk-taking and perseverance. Students should not be afraid of making mistakes or criticism but should see them as opportunities for growth.
Encourage them to take risks in their work by giving them time to explore their minds and find innovative solutions to the various projects they work on.
2. Give your Feedback and help them improve their skills
Students need feedback to grow and improve their creative process. A person's creative quality is often characterized by their ability to learn from mistakes and criticism and use it as a means to develop stronger ideas for the future. Giving constructive criticism is essential as it makes them strive to improve in the future.
3. Allow students to work on independent projects at least once a week
Sometimes not giving guidelines can work wonderfully. Most students you will work with, would already have plenty of ideas. Children are imaginative, they are still exploring the world with curiosity. Let them share their ideas and if safe, let them work on them, most of the time the idea wouldn’t be practical, let them realize that on their own, students would come up with solutions for that or entirely new ideas. This will help them think critically.
4. Do not discourage humor in the classroom
Indeed, humor is considered a creative act. Because creativity, like humor, pushes certain boundaries and creates surprises.
Humour requires creativity and incorporating good humor into the classroom can create a positive atmosphere that stimulates thinking outside the box. Encourage kids to come up with relevant pop culture references, puns, and jokes to make them feel comfortable and smart in the classroom.
5. Celebrate and reward creativity
Reward students for publishing creative ideas, no matter how small. This encourages students to think creatively. Praising students for giving their ideas in front of the class will help them to build confidence. Building confidence at a young age is important it is one of the core foundations of a child to face the world and not be afraid of any challenges.
6. Teaching various skills that can help them increase creativity
You can spark your students' creativity by teaching them a variety of skills, such as teaching them Communication skills, writing, journaling, reading, etc. Acquiring new skills alongside academic instruction can therefore contribute to the development of creativity. Exploring new skills draws attention to the opportunities that lie ahead for students, and such skills help foster curiosity in students.
Student interest is a great place to start on what drives their own thinking tank. Find inspiration from their world. Creativity is intrinsic in nature. Try to promote creativity by stepping into their viewpoint to find what motivates them.
Conclusion: Creativity is a critical skill that students need to achieve overall success in life. It helps them solve problems and find new and innovative ways of doing things. Creativity is a good outlet for children and helps them express their thoughts and ideas in a healthy way.