41 Kids’ Drawings That Should Come With A Warning Label

While these pieces might seem inconsequential, they might be contributing a ton to the little artists' personal development.

A study by popular art company Crayola found that among 6- to 12-year-old children, 92% feel that being creative boosts their confidence.

"Creative activities help children recognize their unique talents and develop a deeper belief in their abilities—giving children an incredible sense of joy and accomplishment," senior director of education at Crayola, Cheri Sterman, commented on the research.

When faced with challenges, kids will often rely on their own ideas rather than turning to others for help or giving up entirely, the study found.

This instinct to look inward for solutions to problems is an important indicator of creative problem-solving capabilities. And the more you train for it, the better you become.

Some of the main takeaways from the Crayola study include:

1. 65% of children shared that engaging in a creative activity makes them feel happy and excited to participate.
2. Nearly 6 in 10 (59%) said participating in a creative activity gives them a sense of pride.
3. More than half of the participants (52%) said creativity makes them feel like they've accomplished something.
4. 53% wish they could spend more time expressing themselves creatively with a parent or caretaker.

"There’s a strong connection between creativity and confidence in children," said Caitlin Slavens, founder of the practice MamaPsychologists and an expert in child development.

"When a child paints a picture, writes a story, or solves a problem in a unique way, they’re proving to themselves that they are capable. Each creative success, no matter how small, builds a child’s belief in their abilities."

However, fostering vibrant, free-flowing creativity among children that makes them feel happy and builds their confidence requires establishing non-judgmental creative spaces.

When children feel they're free to create without judgment, they develop a sense of pride in their work, which in turn strengthens their sense of self and further bolsters self-esteem. And a portrait of their loved ones becomes a great opportunity to express their imagination and emotions.

"The reason creativity is so integral to confidence lies in its low-stakes, high-reward nature," Slavens explained.

"Unlike many structured activities, creativity doesn't have rigid right or wrong answers. This freedom gives kids the chance to take ownership of their work and learn from missteps without fear of failure. Over time, these experiences foster a sense of self-assuredness that can translate into other areas of life."

The good thing is that parents seem to understand this.

When asked which skills they believe are most essential in childhood development, creativity topped Gen Alpha parents’ lists, as the vast majority (85%) believe it will help them stand out in the future job market.

68% of parents also think that today’s children are more creative than they were at that age.