On Encouraging Creativity

I finished a few chores this morning (oh, stuff, like a bit of laundry, a walk about the house thinking of things I should do, and, you know, important things on the computer like reading my favorite blogs and listening to iTunes.  Alas, it really must be done)…

Anyway, as I said, I finished a few chores this morning, then moseyed on into the kitchen to find this lovely sight:

Our two youngest sat down for a spontaneous painting session.

Coincidentally, right before I walked in on the kids, I had just finished listening to an inspiring talk given by Sir Ken Robinson on the topic of creativity (oh, do listen to it; it’s well worth it).  He says so many things I agree with in his 20-minute talk, including this:

“Creativity is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status.”

Sir Ken Robinson

Wow.  That requires some rethinking, doesn’t it?  But after the past few years of mulling over what education means to me, I agree with him.  It’s good to keep sagging bookshelves around, but it’s equally good to leave out paints, paper, scissors, and gluesticks for the children to use freely.

“We don’t grow into creativity, we grow out of it…or rather, we are educated out of it.  Many highly talented, brilliant, creative people think they’re not.  Because the thing they were good at in school wasn’t valued.”

Sir Ken Robinson

Our little gal (5) noticed me taking photos and without looking up from her paints, said, “I’m going to be an artist.” 

That door, I hope, will always look as open to her as the doors to mathematician and aeronautical engineer as a result of a full education: one in which creativity is as important as literacy.