7 Simple Tips for Encouraging Kids’ Creativity in Competitions
The Thomas Morris Christmas Colouring Competition
When we came across the Thomas Morris Christmas Colouring Competition, Mimi and I decided it was the perfect opportunity to let her imagination shine. The challenge? Transform two templates – a Christmas tree and a bauble – into something unique. I though this was a wonderful opportunity to encourage creativity and flexible thinking!
We began by playing a little game: “This looks like a tree, but it’s not! It’s a…” After a few giggles and brainstorming, Mimi proudly declared it was an elf house, and the adventure of bringing it to life began. Next came the bauble. “This looks like a Christmas bauble, but it’s not! It’s a…” After some pondering, Mimi decided it was an aquarium, complete with a rainbow fish wearing a Santa hat.
With this backstory in mind, she got to work, carefully choosing her colours and adding whimsical details to bring her vision to life. Watching her excitement and creative process unfold was the true highlight of the experience.
Mimi’s Big Win
When Mimi came into the room clutching her colouring competition prize – an Amazon gift voucher and some chocolates – she was thrilled but also a little shy and adorably confused. At just 4 years old, the idea of a “competition” didn’t really mean much to her; she’d simply enjoyed the fun of drawing. Her excitement was genuine, though, and it was a lovely reminder that, for children, the process of creating often holds far more meaning than the concept of winning.
As I watched her joyfully (and shyly) clutch her voucher, I couldn’t help but reflect on what this win meant – not just for her, but for how we nurture creativity in our children.
The Perks of a Little Healthy Competition
Competitions are undeniably exciting. They give kids a taste of the real world: setting goals, working towards them, and experiencing the rewards. For Mimi, it was an incentive to grab her crayons and keep drawing. It’s a wonderful way to build confidence, reinforce the value of effort, and celebrate accomplishments.
But competitions can also teach valuable lessons about perspective. What makes one drawing a winner over another? Why did hers stand out? Are there rights or wrongs in self-expression? These are big questions for little minds, and ones I wanted to tread carefully around.
The Double-Edged Sword of Competing
As much as I was delighted with Mimi’s win, I had to wonder: does a competition like this unintentionally shift the focus from the joy of creating to the pressure of winning? If she hadn’t won, would she have questioned her style, pace, or process and tried to emulate the “winning formula” instead?
One of the biggest challenges in these moments is finding the balance between encouraging structure and technique while preserving the boundless creativity that makes children’s art so magical. Do we praise aesthetically beautiful “final products,” or do we celebrate experimentation, originality, and the thought process behind the art?
Moving Forward: The Big Picture
This win has inspired Mimi to keep drawing, which makes my heart sing. But it’s also reminded me to keep asking the big questions about how we encourage creativity. How do we balance structure and freedom? Winning and enjoying the process? Pride and humility?
As parents, it’s up to us to foster an environment where children feel free to explore and experiment without fear of “getting it wrong.” But at the same time, she was so proud of her drawing, eagerly telling all about it to family and friends. That pride, that pure contentment in her art, is what I want to preserve.
For now, I’ll cherish her happiness, hang her winning drawing proudly on the fridge, and remind her that whether or not she wins a prize, her art is always something to be celebrated.
Because, in the end, isn’t that what matters most?
Tips for Parents: Encouraging Creativity Through Competitions
If you’re thinking about entering your child into a competition, here are a few ideas to help make it a positive and enriching experience:
- Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome:
Remind your child that the joy is in creating something they’re proud of. Talk about the effort they put into their work rather than just the result. Phrases like “I love how you used those colours” or “You really put a lot of thought into this” reinforce the value of the process. - Celebrate All Efforts Equally:
Whether your child wins or not, celebrate their creativity and bravery for participating. Consider framing or displaying their work at home, make a T-shirt with it or proudly brag about it to your friends in front of your child – it shows them that their effort matters beyond the competition. - Teach Growth Over Perfection:
Use the experience to talk about growth. If they don’t win, discuss how every artist has their unique style and how trying new things can be exciting, regardless of the outcome. Encourage experimentation and learning rather than chasing perfection. - Keep It Light-Hearted:
Avoid putting pressure on winning. Emphasise fun and creativity. Ask your child what they enjoyed most about making their art or what they might like to try next time. - Encourage Self-Reflection:
If they win, help them reflect on why their work stood out. Was it the colours, the idea, or the effort? If they don’t win, discuss what they loved about their own work and what makes it special to them. - Model Good Sportsmanship:
Be an example of humility and kindness. Celebrate the creativity of others, too, and show them how to appreciate different styles of expression. - Encourage Sharing:
Support your child in sharing their art with family, friends, or even social media (with their consent, of course!). It reinforces pride in their work and builds confidence in expressing themselves.
By keeping competitions fun, positive, and grounded in growth, you can ensure your child feels supported and inspired – no matter the outcome.
Have you entered your child in a competition? How do you help them enjoy the process? – Let me know in the comments below!
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