How do people feel about creativity in classrooms.......does it lack or is there just enough...do we need more creativity or not

Question

give the answer and then tell us why you think that

Answer 1

I think there can never be too much creativity when it comes to kids, especially grade school kids. While learning certain facts and assignments designed to teach or illustrate certain rules and regulations are important, so much of that changes in life. On the other hand, forced creativity can be extremely intimidating and end up producing the opposite effect we are going for by shutting down their minds rather than opening them up. So it's a tricky space to moderate. I know that my son has an enormous imagination. He spends a certain amount of time everyday (he calls it his imagination time) and he plays on his own. I don't go into his room because it embarrasses him, but I hear him running and jumping around. He is also my only child who ponders very large minded ideas. He and I have some of the most interesting conversations and his mind can go on forever.

So obviously we can't send kids to school and tell them to play by themselves and hope they enjoy that. All kids are different. It's also important to recognize that structure and rules are extremely comforting for many kids. We need to find a happy middle where kids feel comfortable expressing themselves while also following rules and setting structure. The latter seems almost like the easier part. I think feeling comfortable is the key to getting anywhere with a child when we leave them to their own thoughts. I think validating the ideas they come up with helps further their thought process and allows them to think bigger. Sometimes other students can be intimidating so keeping things anonymous for those who are not used to being allowed to use their creativity in school like atmospheres. And letting the kids who love to express themselves to the entire class, stand and do that.

Every aspect of teaching is complicated and constantly changing. Couple that with all the different kinds of children and how they learn and it's unfair to expect any district or teacher or parent to get it all right. All we can do is try. Try to open those amazing minds and allow new thoughts to be heard and valued.

But if I were to emphasize one thing, it would be to always validate their thoughts and ideas. There's nothing better than feeling like you're original and nothing worse than feeling like you're stupid.