What parents do can have a big impact on whether a child’s creativity comes through.

A group of psychologists in California made a long-term study of homes and families of creative children and children with little creativity.

They found that parents of children with limited imaginations and talent are stern disciplinarians. They want tasks done their way. They don’t let children question their decisions. They try to keep children from being exposed to ideas and values different from their own. Plus they’re critical of children and their ideas.

Parents of highly creative children do these things instead:

• Respect children’s opinions, and encourage them to express them.

• Give children time to think, daydream and even “loaf.”

• Allow children to make some decisions for themselves.

• Spend warm, intimate times together.

• Encourage children to be curious—to explore and question things.

• Appear to enjoy teaching children new tasks.

• Praise children for their efforts.

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