This article was on stuff.co.nz this morning, and Andy Griffiths words fit perfectly with my earlier posts around creativity.
He has several messages about parenting, that can easily be related to education.
- Taking risks can pay off. "Sometimes falling from the monkey bars teaches you something". We need to create conditions in our classes where 'learning' risks are always taken. and the learning that comes from that is celebrated. For some, taking the safe/easy path is their default, taking risks can mean failing...and that can be scary.
- We don't need to always 'entertain' the children. "The value of free-form play is very important, both mentally and physically". Not filling the children's day up, giving them time to make choices, allowing them the space to be creative...important. AT our school we have had discussions around lunchtime activities...some of our students were becoming so busy that they didn't have the chance to be kids and play at lunch. They need time to 'play'.
- Let them be bored. "Creativity thrives when we have lots of time and space to do it. If things get tight, and we get busy, and deadlines are too close thats when we get uncreative". In our programmes, do the children have the time to be creative...or are they so bogged down in Must Do's/Can Do's/Independent tasks/assignments that we have taken this time/space away?
- Triggering a love for writing. " I made a get well soon card for my Dad which said "Get well soon or you are doomed". Our literacy programmes need to allow for boys humour, and allowing them some freedom to be creative. Descriptive writing about Autumn leaves may well be very nice, but stories about the Zombie Apocalypse are awesome! How are we developing this love for writing in our students.
All in all I thought his messages were fantastic, very timely heading into the new term.
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