1. Teach creative problem solving over rote memorization. How to reach an answer is far more important than making the right choice on a standardized test and then forgetting the concept the next day.
2. Teach kids to challenge assumptions instead of accepting things “as is.” Success is no longer about following an operating manual. It is about imagining the possibilities and real-time innovation.
3. Teach that mistakes are not evil, and should not be feared.Make sure kids learn that mistakes aren’t fatal – they’re simply the portals of discovery.
4. Drive diversity of thought over conformity. World progress occurs by challenging conventional wisdom and approaching problems with fresh perspective. Following the herd is a surefire path to mediocrity.
5. Forster imagination and curiosity. No longer optional, creativity has become the currency of success for us all. This applies to CEO’s and soccer-moms. Musicians and military leaders. Engineers and educators.
Learn more:
- http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching?tag=Creativity
Via Creativity For Life, David Hain, Dean J. Fusto, Ivon Prefontaine, PhD, Christopher Tienken
Struggling Teens often are those kids who cannot/will-not give up their creativity. Those are not broken kids needing serious treatment, but confused kids trying to find their way and making poor decisions. There are schools working on this creativity gap, and should be a model for mainstream kids. -Lon
Celebrate diversity, be open, share, listen and learn...
When my children were small we spent a great deal of time being creative and playing the "what if" game to test out theories. That is not seen with children in my practice much anymore. They are stuck in overly compartmentalized learning and playing. Few of them know what to do if told to go outside.
We need to bring curiosity and creativity back into the forefront of child development and learning. I see the loss of this as being as devastating as when children were told "Do it because I said so and don't ask questions."
What do you think?