How do you nurture creativity in your tween?
Like me, you’ve probably seen the statistics that bear out it is in the pivotal years between the ages of 8 and 12 when our girls are most likely to begin to doubt their abilities, to feel uncomfortable with their bodies, and to questions their place in the world around them.
These tween years are such an important time and as moms we have this great privilege of speaking truth into their hearts and minds, giving them a foundation against the enemy who will tell them they are incompetent, unattractive, and insignificant.
One of the most important ways I believe we can do this is by nurturing their creative desires. Far too often, it is during this time of life when our daughters, in their efforts to fit in or remain unseen, step away from the creative parts of themselves .
5 SIMPLE WAYS TO NURTURE CREATIVITY IN YOUR TWEEN
I’ve been thinking about a few ways we can keep those creative juices running through their veins, even in small ways, so that part of themselves doesn’t get completely lost in their tween years and beyond.
Cooking & Baking
Let your girl get into the kitchen and experiment with baking or cooking. This is such a practical thing but it is also a way we can encourage them to be creative. Let them try making a homemade cheesecake or plan a menu. Buy her the donut maker or the cookbooks she’s asked for. Let her stretch her creative muscles in the kitchen — and enjoy the fruit of her labors.
Decorating her Room
Okay, this one can be tricky I know. But give her the freedom to try new furniture arrangements or use the mismatched bedding. Let her hang things on her walls and pile her bed full of stuffed animals and throw pillows. Let her pick colors and styles you would never choose.
Developing her “Style”
Y’all, this was so hard for me. I had in my mind how I wanted her to dress and accessorize and, well, let’s just say, what she had in mind was nothing close. But I realized it was more important for her to feel comfortable in what she was wearing (as long as it was modest and appropriate) than it was for me to like it.
Journaling
Even if your girl isn’t a writer, encourage her to keep a journal. She may not write long passages about all she feels but giving her a space to record even just the general details of her life can be a great way to give her coping and processing skills and, you never know, those pages with the hearts dotting her “i”s may one day be the early works of your famous author daughter.
Coloring
We’ve had colors and coloring books in our house since before Casiday was born. I can remember coloring during finals week at college in the dorms. There is something about coloring that is soothing and gives even the least artistic among us the opportunity to be creative.
And speaking of coloring, my friend Wynter Pitts, founder of For Girls Like You, has just released a new coloring book, You’re God’s Girl! Y’all, it is so cute! If you are looking for a fun way to help your daughter express her creativity and learn more about the wonderful way God created her, this is for you!!
We love @forgirlslikeyou's new #YoureGodsGirl coloring book! #prayersforgirls Click To TweetLet’s celebrate the ways our girls are creative — share about your daughter in the comments!
xoxo,
Teri Lynne
Recommended Resources (these are affiliate links):
- You’re God’s Girl Coloring Book
- You’re God’s Girl: A Devotional for Tweens
- For Girls Like You: A Devotional for Tweens
Teri Lynne Underwood
Word lover & idea slinger || Scott's wife, Casiday's mom || Loves busy women, girl moms, and really good coffee || Prayers for Girls founder and ringleader
Hi! I'm Teri Lynne and this beautiful girl is my daughter, Casiday! She's the reason #PrayersForGirls exists. There are countless things I'm not sure about as a mom ... but there is one thing I am sure of: prayer is a must!
I love watching my daughter develop her sense of style…even with the same clothing choices, I would pick something completely different to wear…this is where I see her creativity and being her own person and I love it!
My daughter loves doodling! She also writes amazing stories!
My almost 9 year-old daughter LOVES to color! This would be wonderful for her!:) Thanks for the opportunity!
My daughter LOVES to draw and color!
My 13yo daughter loves to cook, bake and color with me. She is so fun and is much better at thinking “outside the box” than I am!
Did you write this post about Paulee?! And wait, she cannot be entering the tweenager stage!!! Between the massive pile of clothes, thousands of partially completed craft projects, aprons, and the colored pencils that are taking over, she just might be. 😭
My 12-year-old oozes creativity! She colors, draws, writes stories, loves origami and working with paper, and is always busy creating something.
Also, I shared on fb. 🙂
she loves to make handmade gifts for her siblings
My daughter is creative in the way she dresses and the way she takes ordinary objects around the house and transforms them into new cteations. Her imagination keeps us entertained quite often.
I have 3 girls… My middle girl, that is 8, is truly a style trend-setter. She pulls stuff together that no one else would and it works for her! 🙂 My 11 year old loves to draw and create.
Thank you so much for your dedication to helping moms like me pray for our girls! We nurture our daughter’s creativity by encouraging her likes of cooking and creating clothes for her dolls. She participates in 4H and recently competed in a food showdown.
My daughter loves to color and craft. We have a lot of fun coloring together it is a great way to relax and spend time together.
My daughter loves to dance. She also loves coloring, baking and journaling. She is always writing a story or making up song lyrics. I love these things about her
My daughter loves crafts and painting!
My daughter loves everything artsy! She’s a budding actress, she loves to dance, and she loves to listen to music and sing. She’s pretty amazing in my book.
My daughter loves making beaded bracelets to donate for our ladies club’s mission fundraiser and to give to her friends and family. I love seeing the different colors and styles she comes up with for different people.
My daughter loves to draw and colour! 🙂
My daughter loves all crafts and is right now making thank you cards for Awana leaders.
My 8 year old love to sketch and design dresses. She is also creative in ways she plays with her little sister and other younger children. She comes up with great activities using whatever is at hand and makes play magical for the littles around her and they are drawn to her.