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Sarah
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| Posted: April 11 2007 at 12:08pm | IP Logged
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Elizabeth had a great post about creativity. You can read it here.
So, let's list some things we can do with the kids to really foster a creative side to education.
So often I have let them just figure it out themselves and not really helped them. My kids do use boxes, tape, etc and do stuff on their own.
Other than music, this is a side of education I really really struggle with: wondering what to do, storing materials, figuring out how to monitor materials so they won't be lost or destroyed while still allowing access, and letting go enough to allow a mess.
Any ideas in this area?
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Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
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JennGM
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| Posted: April 11 2007 at 12:14pm | IP Logged
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I'm going to state the obvious, but something I have to keep reminding myself.
My person example and enthusiasm are key ingredients to fostering creativity with my son. If I pull out crayons or colored pencils, he wants to do it, too. Sewing, painting, knitting, cutting, drawing, clay play, calligraphy...if I am involved, or start doing it myself, that gives the push for his creative drive. I know mine is little...but I find it true for so many ages.
And I need to have enthusiasm, so that he picks it up and shares it with me...and then makes it his own.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: April 11 2007 at 12:27pm | IP Logged
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I think you make a great point, Jenn. My kids were being creative despite my not planning time for it and sometimes, frankly, not leaving enough time in the day for them to CHOOSE it. We've been way too nose-to-the-grindstone since the beginning of January,leaving little wiggle room. The kids find a way to create, just like they find a way to play. But *I* wasn't creating (except for writing). And their efforts were not really supported. When I model making time for this dimension--this expression--then it all falls into place more readily. There are probably houses where everyone happily crafts all on their own. Around here, when that happens, the craft room gets trashed, materials aren't properly cared for, and projects go unfinished. If I'm involved in the process, it all works much better. AND, I benefit. Because really, creativity is important for Mom too.
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Anne McD
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| Posted: April 12 2007 at 6:51am | IP Logged
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Once I saw Elizabeth's post on creativity, I wanted to ask about my situation. My kids are all really little (5 1/2, 4 and 2), and I keep a bookshelf in the kitchen with all the art supplies on it. Yes, I know I'm asking for trouble, but on it we have (from top down): finger and regular paints and brushes, play doh, construction and white paper, two boxes with markers, crayons, safety scissors, and glue sticks, and coloring books. These are the things that they have access to at any time. Okay, truth be told, there is also an "art box" which is on the floor next to it, and that contains all the other stuff (beads, pipe cleaners, felt, etc), and that's pretty accessable, esp to my 5yo. Now, the upside to all this is that my kids are constantly creating-- nothing warms the cockels of my heart like hearing, "here Mommy, this is for you!" or the ever present expression of my five year old, "I have an idea" (this also leads to impromptu science experiments using said art supplies, but that's a whole other post!). Couple this with the fact that I don't seem to find the time (ever) to schedule a time to do specific projects with the kids (except painting), I feel that if I moved all the art supplies out of reach, there would be no creativity. However, the downside to this accessablilty is THERE IS PAPER EVERYWHERE!!! I'm constantly clearing "creations" so I can cook, feed and walk, our crayons and markers seem to have evaporated, and I can't find a pair of safety scissors to save my life. I won't even enumerate the "oops' we have around the house that stem from markers, scissors and glue sticks. 
I suppose I could try moving things on a temporary basis, but I feel like I'm choking their creativity. Mind you, I'm also in the "I need to declutter and organize my house so that its running like a well-oiled machine" mindset right now, with the intent on organizing our day as well so that we can seamslessly move into art projects when needed, b/c the basement will be completely cleared out of its current clutter state, the toys will be pared down, we'll have a learning room, and the art stuff will be stored there so my house doesn't look like a tornado just went through.
Like my plans? Perfect example of how to make God laugh. I can hear Him now . . . But seriously, is this way too much to ask for? Does anyone else have all the "stuff" picked up and put away, only to have little artists working steadily when the inspiration hits?
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Anne
Wife to Jon
Mommy to Alex 9
James 8
Katie 6
William 3 1/2
Benedict Joseph 1
and baby on the way! 10/14
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Mary G
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| Posted: April 12 2007 at 8:15am | IP Logged
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I think the two biggest ingredients are: 1. having supplies on-hand and available and 2. doing it yourself with or without them. It's kind of like fostering a love of reading -- if the kiddos see you constantly reading (while knitting of course ) they'll want to read (AND KNIT!) too....
I've really seen this over the past couple of months with my kids -- they don't want to just sit and listen to a read-aloud or watch a video; now they want to be coloring or drawing or crafting something! And their creative juices are REALLY flowing.
For example, MaryM is organizing a Catholic History Fair for the hs'ers in the Denver area (  ) and Maggie and I talked about a project -- how 'bout a Josefina-inspired look at Catholics in Santa Fe (something mom would LOVE to study).
The next day Maggie (who is 7) came to me and said she wanted to do a project on St. Faustina -- about an hour later she comes with a big cardboard box and asks if she can make St. Faustina's convent; oh and could she make a little felt doll that would be St. Faustina and we could put her in the black and white habit like the pictures show; and don't we have a holy card of the Divine Mercy that she could hang on the wall in the convent????? This was all HER idea -- she was allowing her creative juices to flow. I'd like to think that part of that creative enthusiasm is due to my encouraging them to go build something -- use empty boxes, markets, crayons, etc.
And creativity doesn't necessarily equal big mess -- the final product though can look less than perfect to our adult eyes (and I HAVE to keep myself from throwing in help and unasked for advice) but to the child -- it's a masterpiece!
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Carole N.
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| Posted: April 12 2007 at 8:29am | IP Logged
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Anne,
The answer to your question (at least from our home) is yes. And our artists are not so young anymore! My dd (11) just cannot seem to pick up the paper scraps after she has worked on a lapbook or notebook project. She loves doing crafts, so I try to include them whenever I can, but I am not always very good at planning it into our schedule.
I was very motivated by Elizabeth's post. It is my goal to support them in their crafting efforts and to introduce them to new crafts. I have gotten so many ideas from the forum. And there are plenty of craft kits that have been given to the children at Christmas and birthdays that have never been opened. And a multitude of scrapbooking supplies.
What am I waiting for? I guess I just know what a mess it will make--and that involves clean up for me. But like Elizabeth said, if I am involved in the project, perhaps it will work more smoothly and clean up (and storing of materials, etc) can be shared.
The added benefit of sharing in the crafting and creative aspect contributes to our learning and we have something cool to show dh when he arrives home in the evening. He really does enjoy all of our "real learning."
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 Carole ... in Wales
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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: April 12 2007 at 8:57am | IP Logged
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Keeping art and craft supplies handy and accessible, and allowing for free unstructured time in the day seem to be keys to creative living! Exposure to beauty in your home environment also tends to inspire a desire to create, in children and adults alike. Artwork, classical music and incredible picture books or artbooks are favorite sources of inspiration in our home.
We are currently enjoying Joshua Bell's "Voice of the Violin" (thanks to the library and MacBeth's post Playing in the Subway). We have a print entitled "And They Followed Him", by Johannes Raphael Mehle propped on the kitchen counter, inspired by yesterday's gospel reading from Luke 24:13-35. We have been perusing two books from Phaedon's religous art series during Lent and Holy Week, "Crucifixion" and "Descent" (from the cross). Easter gifts of fresh art supplies have encouraged impromptu art sessions!
If you are threatened by the tornado of papers and supplies, keep less challenging materials, like colored pencils and twist-up crayons (a favorite here), in the open (we keep metal pots of these on a long window shelf by our dining table). Corral messy supplies like paint, glitter, clay and glue in a cupboard, where you can supervise their use. Inexpensive clipboards are a great way to keep paper more contained. A large magnetic board, metal door (or your refrigerator), or a simple clothesline are great ways to display finished masterpieces. We've attached adhesive magnets strips to the back of page protectors or matboard for instant gallery displays.
One way we like to use messier art supplies is by having a family art time, with a tape of prayers or classical music playing, or with mom reading while the children create. Whether planned or impromptu, I find our children are naturally drawn to create...I think it's largely because our life is pretty unstructured, less frantic and filled with pockets of free time that allow them freedom to imagine and dream and to simply "be"! Children today seldom have time to lay on a hill and contemplate the clouds wandering by...
A memory I will cherish forever is the sight of three little ones painting on our back deck last summer...the light and shadows created an idyllic scene...as they huddled beneath a sun umbrella, under a canopy awning with screen curtains blowing in the breeze, I was reminded of scenes of Monet and Renoir painting side by side...the paintings that were created that day, and the memory that accompanies them are priceless treasures to this mother's heart! (BTW, outdoor painting is GREAT!!! It's a cinch to hose down messes on tables, chairs, decks, grass!!! I forgot to mention sidewalk chalk...have you ladies indulged in a sidewalk artfest lately?! Once the snow melts, give it a try! You're bound to feel like a kid again!
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All for Christ, our Saviour and King, servant
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Maryan
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| Posted: April 12 2007 at 9:43am | IP Logged
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Sarah, thanks for starting the discussion. Elizabeth's post was great food for thought. And Servant -- how beautiful! Your kids must love all your presentations! I'm taking notes from all of your ideas!
Here's one creative-friendly thing that I took from my childhood (My mom's an art teacher): she always had a kitchen table with a laminate top. It's SOOooo craft friendly. That way it's not a huge production to protect everything before we paint, color, etc. AND... fingerpainting right on the table is the best!! And when I want hide the laminate, I put a table cloth on it. 
My supplies are also in the kitchen. That way we have a better chance of doing crafts because in the kitchen is where I usually found... with my cup of coffee.
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Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
A Lee in the Woudes
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MaryMary
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| Posted: April 12 2007 at 10:55pm | IP Logged
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Elizabeth's post was a light-bulb moment for me, too. I've been so down in the past few months just feeling that there was no end to the cleaning and planning and sorting and washing, and feeling as though it didn't matter how much I did, it never seemed to look like much . My heart has been yearning to create, though I could not articulate that before reading Elizabeth's post. For me the turning point in my mood came a couple of weeks before Easter when I had gathered the materials to make the "Clothespin Apostles" for Moira's lessons (thanks to all of you who posted these ideas. Honestly, I could just kiss you!) I was fully intending on doing it with the children, really, I was.. But EVERYTHING that I do is with the children, and as much as I love that, I knew that I needed some time to do this on my own. So I greedily put everything out of the children's reach and spent one delightful, therapeutic night after the kids were in bed crafting clothespin versions of Our Lord, Our Lady and the Twelve Apostles. It was like prayer, I tell you! I spent that time reflecting on the Last Supper as I never have before. With each little Apostle clothed and glued little thoughts and prayers escaped my lips, "Dear St. John, you were Mary's adopted boy. I'm going to give you a blue sash to show your love and devotion for your Mama and mine too" ...
I can also tell that I need a creative outlet when I begin to focus too much on my children's handiwork, wanting it to look like what I had in mind rather than what THEY wish it to be (as in "Are you sure you don't want more/less glitter/paint/colour/stickers/pom-poms/sticks/clay or glue here?"  ) When I begin to focus too much on the end product I know that I am in serious need of some creative outlets myself. Because it is only when I find time to craft myself that I see how healing and renewing is the PROCESS of creating itself. The end result doesn't seem to matter nearly as much as what you did to get there.
Thanks, Mary G, for reminding me to love a child's masterpiece for what it is, not what we would want it to be!!!
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Mary
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Fostering Creativity
