Inspiration is something we always seem to reserve for adults. If inspiration means to feel a flash of innovation or a spark of creativity urging us to action, then why couldn’t a child be inspired as well? As a writer I know that inspiration is a precious commodity to be cherished and as a mother I want to recognize my children’s needs to create when the urge comes upon them.
Having two children with different sleep schedules has given me an opportunity to observe them alone when they are at their most creative. My son, Ethan, rises at 4 am and is at his finest as the sun is rising. Currently, he is most interested in science, rivers and fish. At 11, he doesn’t go down to the creek until I am up and about, so he contents himself with drawings and such. When inspiration hits I never know what I will wake up to. He has created boats for floating, planes and new fishing rigs. I’ve watched for an hour as he tried to figure out a way to make an automatic chew toy dispenser for our dog. Using tape, a cardboard box and scissors he doggedly worked for an hour, trying different methods. It was only partially successful, but that wasn’t the point. He was inspired to create something and had the time to act on that inspiration.
My daughter, 10, is artistic and fits of inspiration come often to her. I respect her need to create when the ideas move upon her. “I thought of a cool picture and I need to draw.” There are times when I want her to help set the table or put away clothes, but I know and understand how she is feeling and I can validate her feelings by waiting till she is done. She is also creative in other ways. She comes alive late at night and works on various projects such as cardboard computers, doll clothes and looms. Once she created an image of herself using old clothes, hangers and her shoes.
I love to watch them as they create in moments of inspiration. They are fully engaged, focused and imaginative. This isn’t the time to interrupt and send them to bed. This is when they need to be respected and validated. The successes and failures of these moments are the best of learning.
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