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Second guest post from Peter H. Reynolds, author, illustrator, speaker, educator, and creative being. Read his first guest post, Creative Ways to Reach All Learners.

1) Model it.

Demonstrate and share YOUR creativity and art.

2) Be Proud.

Do not denigrate your own art and creativity in front of children. Share it proudly.

3) Stock up.

Have plenty of arts supplies and media tools at your children’s fingertips.

4) Get Inspired.

Take your children to museums!

5) Share, share, share!

Make dinnertime – story-time. Have everyone tell a story about his or her day. Make storytelling a part of your family culture.

6) Celebrate originality.

Get as much original art up on the walls as possible. (Yours, your children’s, friends’)

7) Create your creative oasis.

Turn of the TV and play music on great speakers. Forget the earbuds. SHARE the sounds! Mix it up – play all types of music from all periods and all cultures.

8 ) Infuse the arts in unexpected places.

Make your dinner plates look like art. Arrange it in creative ways.

9)  Set up your studio.

Create “studio spaces” in your home/school dedicated to making stuff.

10) Make it matter!

Brainstorm how you can use your talents and gifts to make the world a better place.

Bio: Peter H. Reynolds is a children’s book author, illustrator, bookshop owner, founder of FableVision… and an advocate for creativity and children of all ages.

Note from Melissa: Readers, I absolutely adore Reynold’s art and books. ALL his books are springboards for discussion, art, new thinking, and imagination – his website even offers teachers guides and activity ideas. His books Ish and Dot continue to inspire my children into new ways of thinking and seeing the world. It’s such an honor to host Reynolds and I encourage you to investigate his picture books and FableVision if you haven’t already.

More Reading . . . 

 Creative Ways to Reach ALL Learners

 Good YA Books For Your Reading List

 Encourage Your Child’s Creativity