Inspiring creativity

​Developing creative and innovative skills in children and young adults gives them a variety of valuable life skills they’ll use forever, but how exactly how do we teach our children these important skills?
 
One of the best and most enjoyable ways to inspire creativity in young people is by having them involved in youth theatre, like The Young Company (TYC).
 
Sparking and developing children’s imagination by being involved in all aspects of theatre (from behind the scenes through to on-stage performances) enables them to think creatively, which is a life-long skill that gives them the ability to invent and create solutions in all aspects of their lives.
 
With a small financial budget to work with, students involved in youth theatre are hands-on in creating their own costumes. Theatre groups like TYC offer costume-making sessions where students recycle existing items of clothes and accessories in the costume wardrobe to create their character’s outfits.
 
Same with set designs. Again, a limited budget means students learn to use existing tools and props to create the right settings.
 
“Creating their own costumes and helping come up with set-design ideas are skills that transfer through to adulthood,” said TYC founder and general manager Leigh Boswell. “They’re using their imagination, learning to problem solve with the resources they have and learning to think outside the box. These are skills that have greatly benefit today’s leaders, entrepreneurs and successful businesspeople.”
 
Research has shown the creative people find easier ways around problems and challenges because they see things differently and are better able to adapt to changing environments.
It’s also shown that creativity reduces stress and anxiety. 
 
“Kids can make anything with their imagination,” Leigh said. “They can turn an empty box into a car or a castle or create a new costume from a box of old clothes. Youth theatre awakens and helps develop their imaginations and creativity, which are traits that will be an asset for them throughout their lives.”