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Art finds you, which is why I still hold out hope that my boys will take an art course or two in college and continue to flex their creative muscle, even if they only ever consider it a hobby. Thinking globally, though, if creativity in kids is, as the 1958 National Child Development Study suggests, an important factor for success later in life, shouldn’t we all be doing more to support access to the arts for kids? In her April 2020 TEDx talk (https://lnkd.in/gYWwEKWS), Jane Werner, the director of the Pittsburg Children’s Museum, explained that children are constantly questioning their model of the world. Encouraging experimentation in kids is paramount and includes developing spaces with great design. Kids innately love design, she said, which is why they often enjoy the box their toy came in more than the toy. Joy, she added, also needs to be woven throughout kids’ experiences. Practical ways to Inspire Creativity Victoria Prowse, PhD. who wrote on this topic for Psychology Today, suggests adults can inspire creativity by encouraging independent thinking by asking questions with no right or wrong answer; giving kids challenges that can not be easily solved using the logical steps they’ve already mastered; and by supporting children when they are faced with resistance to their creative ideas. Not everything will be great, but recognizing originality should be encourage. The goal is to support the never ending flow of creativity. Here are some more easy ways to inspire. 🖍 Keep acrylic paint, crayons, brushes, paper, canvas, clay–anything tactile–on hand and available for kids to get into. 🤫 Less talk, more action. Skip the excessive instruction and, instead, let kids dive in and get dirty. 🖌 Jump in and demonstrate the pleasure in play and experimentation through the act of creating.  🤐 Don’t be critical of kids OR of your own attempts; there doesn’t have to be a right or wrong way.  🌟 Recognize and praise individuality.  😏 Before you offer help, encourage kids to experiment and discover on their own. The lego car or painting of a dog may not turn out anything like the diagram or photo–who cares? Art isn’t necessarily the end result; it’s the journey. 🎨 Let kids have messy spaces. This can be tough for folks who hate clutter, but for kids, it’s their sanctuary, a place where their imagination blossoms. BONUS POINTS for adults who let kids dress themselves; this is one way we can foster self-expression and confidence from an early age. Remember, kids are always watching grown ups; your actions and words communicate more than you know, so channel your inner Incurable Optimist, roll up your sleeves and get to play. For more articles on art and creativity, check out my blog on rosefredrick.com. Have a fabulously creative Friday!! #creativekids #fostercreativity #theincurableoptimist

Episode 20 of the Shuruart Foundation Series In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of age-appropriate grouping for art activities. With over 1,000 children under our guidance, Shuruart Foundation has gained valuable insights into the importance of tailoring art experiences based on developmental stages. Why Age-Based Grouping Matters Children progress through distinct phases of artistic expression. Younger children often focus on symbols and basic shapes, while older kids strive for realism in their artwork. Mixing these developmental stages can hinder the growth of younger children, as they may feel discouraged by the advanced techniques of their older peers. Our Approach: Age-Specific Art Groups* To foster a supportive and inclusive art environment, we advocate for age-specific groups: *7-8 Year Olds: Explore their creativity with fundamental shapes and symbols. 8-10 Year Olds: Begin incorporating real-life elements into their art. 11+ Year Olds: Develop more detailed and realistic techniques of expressing themselves The Power of Mixed-Age Collaboration While age-based groups are essential, we also recognize the value of mixed-age group projects. These collaborative experiences allow children of all ages to contribute based on their skill level, fostering teamwork and inspiring each other. In this video, you'll discover: * The significance of age-appropriate art groups. * Effective strategies for structuring age-specific groups. * The benefits of mixed-age group projects. * Tips for creating an inclusive art environment for all ages. #artactivities #kidsart #agegroups #arteducation #shuruartfoundation age-appropriate art activities children's art education mixed-age art projects https://lnkd.in/gz-iRzzM

Exciting News from STEM to the Future We're thrilled to announce that we've received a generous grant of $77,560 from the LA County Department of Arts and Culture! This fantastic support allows us to further champion the 'A' in STEAM – integrating Arts seamlessly with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Our journey into the world of STEAM is not just about equations and experiments; it's about identity, creativity, and community. Take, for instance, our recent project that blends identity and artistry. Inspired by LA's own visionary artist Dakarai Akil, our students explored the realms of Afrofuturism and Black surrealism. Through his work, they delved into a profound cultural narrative that extends beyond the canvas. Each child creates a personal collage, transforming ideas into visual stories. This exercise was more than just an art lesson; it was a self-discovery process, a conversation starter, a tool for expression. By embracing the 'A' in STEAM, we teach our young learners that ideas can grow into tangible outcomes - be it art, a brand that raises awareness for marginalized communities, or a garden to nourish their community. We are immensely grateful for this grant as it acknowledges the importance of art in education and reinforces our commitment to providing a holistic learning experience. This is just the beginning! How do you integrate creativity into your educational programs? Or, what role has art played in your personal or professional growth? At STTF, we can cultivate a future where every idea has the potential to bloom into something beautiful. Check out our lesson on here. https://lnkd.in/gSmkSQ6j #PlantingtheSeed #STEAM #ArtsEducation #CommunityImpact #Innovation #LACountyArts

"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞" — This headline says it all. 💪🏾 A HUGE 'thank you' to My Indiana Home for the well-worded writeup on our mission and impact for Indiana's Black community! See the piece for yourself: 👉🏾 https://lnkd.in/edmSE2tQ #Indianapolis #Indy #IndianaBlackBusiness

Catch the full discussion here. If you're involved in education, arts or are a parent, you're likely to have looked for ways to provide a more creative and nurturing environment for children. In this talk, we talk about the value of doing so, and the challenges we all face in implementing arts education in schools. Thanks to all the speakers for bringing rich insights and useful learning to the conversation! https://lnkd.in/g6BwBwZm

Great article about how to think differently when it comes to accessible arts education. It doesn't need to be complicated. It just needs different thinking. #WorldSightDay #Blindness #BlindEducation #Art4All #AccessibleArt

As a firm believer in the power of #education to shape young minds and pave the way for future success, I'm continually inspired by the vital role that early childhood education plays in our society. From the moment children enter this world, they are like sponges, soaking up knowledge and experiences that will influence their development for years to come. One cornerstone of early childhood education that often goes overlooked is the invaluable contribution of children's museums. These vibrant spaces serve as interactive hubs where young learners can explore, discover, and ignite their curiosity in a hands-on environment! Whether it's experimenting in exhibits, delving into art activities, or engaging in imaginative play, children's museums like Port Discovery Children's Museum provide a stimulating and nurturing environment that fosters holistic development. Research consistently underscores the significance of early childhood experiences in shaping cognitive, social, and emotional skills that lay the groundwork for future academic and personal achievements. By investing in quality early childhood education programs and supporting initiatives like children's museums, we can empower our youngest learners to thrive and reach their full potential. Let's recognize and celebrate the pivotal role that early childhood education, including the invaluable contributions of children's museums, plays in shaping the trajectory of our future generations. Together, let's ensure that every child has access to enriching educational experiences that set them on a path toward lifelong learning and success. #EarlyChildhoodEducation #ChildrensMuseums #EducationMatters #FutureLeaders #InvestInOurChildren

I recently watched Michael Nesmith’s TED Talk on the importance of universal design. He beautifully explains that universal design benefits everyone, not just people with disabilities. In fact, he explains that we all experience some form of disability at different points in our lives—be it temporary, like a broken arm, or situational, like navigating a foreign country. Universal design aims to create products and environments usable by all people to the greatest extent possible without needing a special adaptation. An excellent example he gave is the evolution of door design: from doorknobs (challenging for many), to door levers (better but not perfect), to automatic sliding doors (accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, parents with strollers, and even pets). Universal design benefits everyone, regardless of whether they share the same disability. Disability drives innovation and forces the creation of new solutions that benefit all. Watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/dHgV6Nr

EVERYDAY CREATIVITY - ELTHAM LIBRARY, GREENWICH “You have to really have a belief in the creativity of people. People are innate creators” Eltham Library was founded in 1906, it is funded by the Royal Borough of Greenwich and run by GLL under the brand name Better. Alongside delivering core library activities, staff encourage members of the community to bring their ideas to the space and work to support their projects or group activities. Examples include community-led reading groups, poetry events, projects that support groups to connect with schools with library support and a Crotchet and Natter group - all of which have a ‘ripple effect’ on engagement and the building of connections. Library Manager, Miriam, notes how overturning perceptions about what a library service is and can be is an ongoing challenge, and therefore nurturing relationships externally is vital. However, ‘no conversation is wasted’ as these build towards the library’s reputation as a space that is open and inviting of other people’s creative ideas. Miriam says “We need to reframe what creativity is. Creativity presents itself in such a wide range of ways. Everyday Creativity is about the things we do everyday. That’s not necessarily things on a grand scale. You might not be able to go to the opera everyday but you might be able to listen to it on the radio or come to the library and read a book about it. That’s creative. I led a canvas making workshop on Saturday. I’m not trained as an artist and got asked ‘what’s your artistic background?’ but we all have an artistic connection and all those people created something. It’s about rethinking how we can access creativity on a daily basis on our terms”. Creating practical ways and platforms for individuals and groups to showcase their work is frequently requested and therefore the library is in the process of developing a permanent community gallery wall and sourcing display cabinets. Where this has been the case, exhibits have ‘opened up all sorts of conversations about #creativity #libraries #community #connections Arts Council England Diana Edmonds Daniela Hislop Carol Valentine. At thedesignconcept we design with and for creativity! https://lnkd.in/erFkWDQd

Have you heard about The Contribution Project? Watch here to learn about how a happiness boost is experienced by people with intellectual disabilities who participate in the project. Outstanding work from our own Dr Samuel Arnold https://lnkd.in/gAzd_cPy