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Writing in Parenting Exchange, Exchange's parent education handouts, Karen Stephens observed in "20 Ways to Encourage Children's Resourcefulness and Creativity," that ..."resourcefulness, the ability to meet challenges in a variety of ways, is a by-product of creative intelligence. As children develop resourcefulness, they learn to trust their instincts and unique abilities. They acquire a positive attitude toward problem solving. Resourceful children mature into confident and industrious people. Just as important, they tap into the multitude of joys life has to offer."

In the handout, Karen offers 20 tips for encouraging creativity including the following....

• Stimulate imaginative, independent thought by posing questions. In projects, avoid telling kids exactly what to do.
• Resist perfectionism. Don't take over a child's project because you can do it better. Likewise, resist putting finishing touches on a child's project to make it perfect.
• Facilitate play; don't dictate it. Kids get a boost from parents getting on the floor and really playing with them. During play follow the child's lead. Play should be a dance between you, not a concert with you as sole conductor.
• Make up cumulative family stories. One person starts a storyline, and then the next has to add to it, then the next. The zanier the plot the better.
• Change the end of well-known stories. "What's another way 'The Three Little Pigs' could end?"

This article handout is available in its entirety on our home page at www.ChildCareExchange.com.

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