A Qualitative Study on Malaysian Parents’ Perspective of Enhancing Children’s Creativity

• Main Authors: Tan, Chee-Seng, Low, Sew-Kim, Ong, Anna Wen-Huey, Tan, Soon-Aun, a/p Nainee, Sarvarubini, Gan, Su-Wan
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2023
• Subjects: creativity; financial constraints; parent perspectives; primary school students; Malaysia
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/apssr/vol23/iss1/7; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/apssr/article/1487/viewcontent/RA_206.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

While studies have supported parental influences on children’s creativity development, little attention has been paid to understanding parents’ perspectives of nurturing children’s creativity. This study used a qualitative approach to understand how parents in Malaysia assist their children to develop creativity and to identify challenges encountered along the process. Twenty-nine parents were interviewed individually. Five main themes were identified: creativity involves novel ideas, strategies to encourage the growth of creativity, learning environments, challenges encountered, and the roles of school teachers. Notably, parents agreed that authoritative parenting style and educational online materials are conducive to creativity, while time and financial constraints and exam orientation are the pull factors of nurturing creativity. The results not only extend the literature by adding parents’ viewpoints but also offer insights into opportunities and challenges for promoting creativity among children. Specifically, developing affordable online parent–child resources is a promising area for future exploration and research.