Making Something out of Nothing: Why Children’s Creativity Matters

By Lisa O’Reggio, Art Director & Illustrator, TLC Publishing House

I’ve always loved the idea of creating something out of essentially nothing and calling it art. To me, art is a personal language between self and ability. It’s unique to the creator. A piece becomes art simply because the artist believes it is. And with that in mind, I truly believe anyone can create art, especially children.

Art doesn’t have to be a perfectly framed painting or a sculpture in a gallery. It can be a crayon drawing, a cardboard castle, a dance in the living room, or a story scribbled in a notebook. The dictionary defines art as “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination.” That’s a wide-open invitation for children to explore, play, and express themselves.

I have vivid memories of watching my sister Tinesha sketch fashion models when we were kids. I admired her so much. Everything she did delighted me. Naturally, I started sketching too. The more I drew, the more confident I became in my own artistic ability. Art class quickly became my favorite subject in school.

Even now, I treasure art, especially children’s art. I’ve kept a painting my nephew made when he was five years old, for nearly twenty years. I still have pieces that were given to me when I was in middle school. I display the ones that mean the most to me, because they remind me of the beauty in raw, uninhibited creativity.

Because I love art, I encourage it in my home. When I’m busy with a project (which is usually art-related), or when my kids are looking for something to do, I invite them to create. Sometimes they color. Sometimes they follow a prompt from an art book. Sometimes they just make something up.

I’ve realized that because I’ve spent my life turning nothing into something, I carry a quiet confidence. I believe I can do most things I set my mind to. That’s the power of creativity. According to a study by the National Endowment for the Arts, children who create or consume art experience positive academic outcomes, stronger relationships, and a greater sense of belonging and self-sufficiency. That includes everything from crafting and building to reading, music, acting, and dance.

If you’re looking for ways to encourage creativity in your own home, here are a few simple ideas:

• Keep supplies organized and accessible. This gives kids independence and ownership over their creativity.

• Let your child know that their hobby is important. Show interest in their hobby. This shows them that what they create matters.

• Don’t throw away their creations without asking. If you don’t have space, help them find a place to keep it themselves.

• Challenge them to add to something they’ve already made. It teaches them that creativity evolves—and that they can problem-solve through art.

Creativity isn’t just about making things, it’s about believing in yourself. When we nurture that in children, we’re giving them more than a skill. We’re giving them a sense of possibility.

Resource:

Snapshots of Arts Education in Childhood and Adolescence | National Endowment for the Arts