Why Kaiyomi thinks kids need creativity inside & outside the classroom!

This is an article by Kaiyomi Mistry, Psychologist, and School Counselor.

Quick!
When I say “school”, what’s the first word that comes to mind? Studies? Classrooms? Teachers? Exams? Grades?
Did any of us think: joy? imagination? Self-expression?

It’s not your fault that “school” so often feels like a place of pressure rather than possibility. The system has become so Outcome-focused that we forget that learning can, and should, also feel enriching, playful, and deeply personal. That’s where creativity steps in. As a psychologist and school counsellor, I’ve seen how creative expression isn’t just a fun filler activity, it’s a powerful tool for healing, regulation, and growth.

Not a luxury, but a language. One that helps children (and adults) understand themselves and connect with the world around them. Whether it’s through drawing, storytelling, movement, or role play, creative work helps students express what they feel, especially when words are hard to find. It isn’t about being “artistic.”

It’s about having space to be real. In the classroom, this kind of expression builds emotional resilience, empathy, and confidence. It gives students a pause from pressure and permission to be themselves. I’ve seen quiet students come alive in role play, anxious minds settle through painting, and friendships bloom through collaborative storytelling. The impact is real and long lasting.

But here’s the thing – creativity doesn’t only belong in the art room. It belongs in how we teach, how we parent, how we solve problems, and how we make sense of our emotions. When we integrate creative expression into everyday life, we’re not just helping kids learn, we’re helping them cope, connect, and thrive.

So here are 3 Creative Prompts to try
this month:

Draw Your Day: One doodle per moment
– what did your day feel like, not just what
happened?

Story Flip: Start a story with “Once I felt…”
and let it flow!

Feelings in a Box: Decorate a small box
and fill it with notes, objects, or colours that
match your mood that day. Reflect at the end
of the week.

Creativity isn’t extra. It’s essential. And
every child deserves it – inside and outside the
clas