Welcome to the second part of our interview with Ginger Carlson, author of Child of Wonder: Nurturing Creative and Naturally Curious Children.
LG: Parents are busy today, how can they have time to do something extra?
GC: The great thing about creativity, and nurturing it, is that it is
something that doesn’t take extra time. It is easily incorporated
into what you are already doing. The activities in Child of Wonder are
actually wonderful for working parents as well as stay-at-home
parents, both of whom might find themselves short of time for
different reasons. As Melissa Hart says in the Foreword: “Clear
directions, supported by theoretical discussions, allow readers a
range of options. Adults pressed for time can implement ideas quickly
and easily, incorporating teachable moments into everyday activities.
Alternatively, parents and teachers with more time to devote to a
child’s education can delve deeply into the book, studying the
pedagogy that informs each chapter, and using the activities as a
jumping-off point to design entire creative curriculums.”
Additionally, developing connections and finding unique ways to share
the precious time we do share with our children is a creative venture
in itself. One that is always worth the effort.
LG: Does stressing creativity take away from time spent on developing more
academic skills?
GC: No, not at all. In fact, giving opportunity for children to develop
creativity adds to their academic prowess. There’s a common
misconception that if a child (or adult, for that matter) is doing
something that is fun, or fulfills them in some other way that they
are then not doing something that is worthwhile or “academic”.
Fortunately, that is not the case at all and creative thinking will
only boost academic skills.
LG: What message would you like to communicate to parents of young children?
GC: The message is simple yet substantial. Creativity is something very
special in that it does not discriminate. It is available to all
people. You don’t have to quilt or paint with oils on the ceiling of
a church, to be creative or profoundly express that creativity. That
is what is so wonderful about it. We all have it in us to be able to
think differently and critically, and solve problems effectively. By
stimulating thought, honoring the creative process, and offering ways
of unique expression we can give this gift of wonder to our children,
no matter what their background or situation.
LG: Do you think TV, video games, and computers are limiting children’s
creative growth?
CG: Yes, in a lot of ways I think they are. However, I also believe it
isn’t necessarily the medium that is responsible for those
limitations, but the corporate advertising that is making its way to
kids through them. I actually advocate for a balance in the use of
these existing and emerging technologies. If parents bring a mindful
eye to the use of media in the home and then deconstruct the images
alongside their children then I believe, as many brain and educational
researchers do, that they will learn how to critically navigate them,
an important skill that can benefit creative development and critical
thinking skills. That said, more time is spent with media than ever
before and it is worth evaluating its use in the lives of children,
especially those under the age of 8.
LG: What age range of children does this book address?
GC: Child of Wonder is written for parents and educators of children
elementary aged and under. It will also be enjoyed by grandparents,
childcare providers, and anyone else who comes in contact with
children on a regular basis.
LG: So what are some quick ways parents can encourage creative thinking?
GC: The first would be to understand the child’s needs. From there,
parents can look at the environment in which their children are
spending time. Are the things for children to create with easy to find
and access? Do your children have many opportunities for free play?
Can children remove themselves and have quiet moments by themselves?
Can they make messes? Are they surrounded by stories? The more we
can incorporate a wide variety of activities, the more we will nurture
creative, confident thinkers!
Many thanks to Ginger Carlson for this interview and for writing Child of Wonder.
Also See:
Author Interview – Ginger Carlson – Part One
Author Interview – Linda Paulson Adams: Thoughts on Creativity
Everyday Matters – Danny Gregory