9 July 2025
Let’s face it—creativity isn’t just for artists or musicians. It’s for students, coders, scientists, and yes, even future accountants. Whether they're solving equations, writing essays, or designing robots, today’s students need creativity like plants need sunlight. But here's the kicker—many students don’t believe they’re creative at all. So, how do we change that narrative? That’s where building creative confidence steps in.
This article dives deep into how we can nurture creative confidence in students—from the classroom to the playground. Grab a coffee (or tea), and let’s unpack how to spark that creative flame in every learner.
Creative confidence is the belief that you have the ability to create change and come up with new ideas. It’s not about being the best artist in class or writing an award-winning poem. It’s about trusting your instincts, taking risks, and knowing that it’s okay to fail.
Think of it like riding a bike. The first time, you might wobble or fall—maybe even cry a little—but you get back up. And eventually, you're zooming down the street, wind in your hair, no training wheels in sight. That’s what creative confidence looks like in action.
Building creative confidence in students:
- Encourages risk-taking
- Fosters resilience
- Sparks curiosity
- Builds problem-solving skills
In short, it’s not just a nice-to-have—it’s an absolute must.
Sound familiar? Maybe your students say it. Maybe you’ve said it.
But here's the truth—creativity isn’t a trait reserved for the chosen few. It's a skill. Just like math or reading, it can be taught and nurtured. Everyone has it; some just haven’t discovered how to unlock it… yet.
One big reason students think they’re not creative is because they equate creativity with artistic talent. But creativity shows up everywhere—brainstorming, strategizing, inventing, iterating. It’s wide open.
- Asking "What if?" questions
- Encouraging wild ideas in brainstorming sessions
- Celebrating unique approaches over perfect answers
Curiosity is the gateway drug to creativity.
Try these classroom strategies:
- Use phrases like “Not yet” instead of “Wrong”
- Share stories of famous failures (hello, Einstein!)
- Let students revise work instead of grading once-and-done
Normalize failure, and students will feel freer to take creative risks.
For example:
- Create a video, write a song, or build a 3D model to show what you’ve learned
- Choose your own research topic
- Pick the format of your final presentation
A little choice goes a long way in building creative confidence.
We can help by:
- Praising effort, not just output
- Modeling a growth mindset ourselves (“I had no idea how to do this at first, but I kept trying…”)
- Encouraging students to reflect on what they learned from creative setbacks
With a growth mindset, creativity becomes a journey—not a destination.
Imagine:
- Students designing their own experiments in science
- Writing and solving their own riddles in math
- Using storytelling to explain historical events
Creativity doesn't belong to any one subject. It’s a thread that can run through every lesson, weaving learning into something meaningful and personal.
Inject play into learning by:
- Starting class with a creative warm-up (improv games, doodle prompts)
- Using role-play to explore different perspectives
- Turning lessons into storytelling adventures
When students play, their brains light up. It’s creativity in its purest, most joyful form.
Consider:
- Digital storytelling platforms (like Book Creator or Storybird)
- Coding projects that let students program their own games
- Collaborative tools like Padlet or Google Jamboard for brainstorming
The key? Let students be creators, not just consumers.
Here’s how schools can do that:
Simple ways to encourage creativity at home:
- Ask open-ended questions at dinner (“What would you invent if you had no limits?”)
- Keep art supplies and building materials easily accessible
- Support weird, whimsical, or wacky ideas
- Encourage storytelling and imagination games
Remember, creativity starts with permission—to imagine, to fail, and to try again.
When students believe their ideas matter, they show up differently. They speak up. They dive deeper. They dream bigger.
So let’s start today. Let’s build classrooms that hum with curiosity, play, and possibility. Let’s teach kids that their ideas are powerful, their voices are valuable, and their creativity is limitless.
Because when students believe in their ability to create—anything is possible.
all images in this post were generated using AI tools
Category:
Creativity In EducationAuthor:
Fiona McFarlin