Homeschooling a Creative Child

Life with a creative child (or person for that matter) is never dull.  You never can be sure what the day will hold. What story will be written, worksheet created (for a younger sibling of course), song composed, toy invented (Armless dolls made from toilet paper rolls?!  Check!), imaginary story acted out, kitchen creations baked and the list goes on…

Creativity: The Early Years

As a young girl, my daughter and oldest child (now age 10), had a strong dislike for coloring.  This was concerning to me as all of her peers showed interest in coloring.  If I could’ve looked into the near future at that point those concerns would’ve been washed away.

Around the age of 5 or 6, she started drawing 15-20 pictures a day.  It honestly was a little overwhelming. There were drawings everywhere.   And these drawings were intricate.  Incredibly detailed.  As a sentimental person, I felt like it was my motherly duty to save everything.  I wanted my little girl to have those mementos for when she got older.  And we still do have a few loads of folders of drawings in our basement somewhere.   Her “drawing sprees” make sense me to me now as I believe her strongest multiple intelligence is picture smart.

I won’t even delve into what her bedroom is like.  As someone who feels a bit panicked around clutter, let’s just say I wouldn’t consider her bedroom a sanctuary. Though she does, and I realize that’s what’s important.   Thankfully after a lot of trial and error (and advice from a friend who is very similar to my daughter), we’ve got a system that is working for now.  A compromise that has worked for both of us.  But I’ll save that for another post.  😊

A Need to Create

Somewhere along the line, I began to understand creative “types” a little more, which has helped tremendously.  They create because they need to create.  All of those ideas are looming in their brain and they have to get them out.  It’s not about creating something utilitarian(though it could be at times), but simply about the act of creating.  An expression of what is going on in their brains.

I have personally experienced this and contemplated it as I have started this blog.  Though not nearly as creative as my daughter, I have lots of thoughts roaming around in my own head and writing them out has been therapeutic for me (even if no one else were to read them!).  It frees the clutter from my brain.

Coming to this understanding has been freeing in regards to my daughter because I now realize I don’t need to save ALL of her “creations”.   Certainly, I will save some.  But she isn’t creating for others to see but simply to fill her need to create.  Therefore, I can now go through the “stack” on a daily or weekly basis and save a few of her best drawings/creations.   With no more mom guilt!

Homeschooling a Creative Child

Homeschooling her has gotten easier too, as I’ve learned to work with her creative ways.  Note: This is an art and not a science!  One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that if she’s in her “creative zone”, it will work best if I let her finish what she’s doing before moving on to something else.  This does not work with a super scheduled day, so while I try to keep a general routine, we do maintain flexibility in our homeschooling.  This is essential for everyone’s sanity!

Compromising with my creative child is also key to having a more successful homeschool.  So, compromise AND flexibility are both essential!

As much as it can be tricky homeschooling a creative child, it is also a joy.  Every day brings something new!

Are you a creative person or do you have a creative child?  Please comment with any thoughts/insights you’d like to share!