Strengthening Creativity in our Youth.
Our educational systems are looking a lot different these days and many of us are finding our kids learning at home or learning part time. With these stressful situations many families and teachers are leaving the arts out of these programs. But especially in these times we need to remember that we need to be strengthening and investing in the creatively of our young ones.
For many parents, guardians, and even teachers this is sometimes a scary topic, the topic of creativity.
It’s sometimes said that creativity cannot be defined. I think it can. There are two other concepts to keep in mind: imagination and innovation. Imagination is the root of creativity. It is the ability to bring to mind things that aren’t present to our senses.
There are various myths about creativity. One is that only special people are creative, another is that creativity is only about the arts, a third is that creativity cannot be taught, and a fourth is that it’s all to do with uninhibited “self-expression.”
None of these is true. Creativity draws from many powers that we all have by virtue of being human.
Creativity is possible in all areas of human life, in science, the arts, mathematics, technology, cuisine, teaching, politics, business, you name it. And like many human capacities, our creative powers can be cultivated and refined. Doing that involves an increasing mastery of skills, knowledge, and ideas. Many feel these practices of creativity can’t be taught, but we know that is not true.
So do you have a young creative person in your life, or interested in knowing more about how young people’s brains develop creatively?
Join 410 Project’s Executive Director Dana Sikkila on September 22nd 6–7:30pm at the 410 Project for a casual and fun discussion on how youth’s creativity and imagination develops through their years.
Along with learning ways you can support and challenge them at home or at school, Sikkila will also discuss ways of understanding and identifying different types of intelligences in young people.
PLEASE RSVP by emailing the410project@hotmail.com
It’s $5 to attend, but all funds go towards the 410 Project.
MASKS ARE REQUIRED AND SOCIAL DISTANCING WILL BE SET.
Dana Sikkila received her Master of Arts in Printmaking as well as her Non Profit Leadership Certificate from Minnesota State University, Mankato. At just 34 years old, Sikkila has been named as one of the most well-known creative leaders of Southern Minnesota. As a creative administrator, educator, and public speaker Sikkila is noted for her theory development within creative educational research and her formation of numerous grassroots cultural projects and exhibitions throughout the state.
