Why is Creativity A Kids' Key to Success?

Creativity and empathy: the missing links

Do you realize the Arts are our earliest form of language? Art and music are the common denominator across all languages, cultures, and history. It is one of the most powerful tools for the expression of self.

We all have a special song or a picture we like, it may remind us of a special moment, an important date, or represent a strong belief. This emotion often affects us to our core.

The arts nurture and expand our ability to create and understand the world around us. Research shows children who are exposed to the arts acquire a greater ability to create flexible and more complex solutions to problems, a greater ability to articulate his/her thoughts, and ultimately discover a greater sense of self.

These are crucial elements in becoming socially responsible, stimulated and contented, and to develop a love for learning.

Neurologists have discovered that creativity is as natural to us as breathing is. We are predisposed at conception to create and develop language. We all know that when we don’t use something, like a house without a family to occupy it, or a muscles we don’t use, that gift fatigues, sags, and will eventually be lost.

Infants and most importantly fetuses are known to respond to sound, music, and emotions. It is now known, infants respond to colors and shapes, and reciprocate and mimic sounds. Even though children’s creativity thrive between infancy and their primary school years, research shows children’s creativity levels drop by the time they reach 9 – 10 years.

During their pre-teen years children begin to loose enthusiasm and curiosity for learning, become more compliant with rules, are less likely to try new things, unlike in their earlier years of development. Sadly, for most, creative skills become further suppressed and often fade during adult years.

So the question then is, “How do we foster continued growth in creativity?” What can we do as parents/educators/society to cultivate solutions to our problems and develop more environmentally aware and empathetic human beings?

In order for humanity to evolve into a higher level of functioning/creativity, our level of empathy must increase. Empathy is the key to greater understanding, interdependence, and ultimately cooperative relationships.

I believe the fastest and most effective ways for students to learn empathy is through creative interpretation, such as those expressed in the arts. If we want our children to become more fully integrated, effective, and enlightened individuals we must support greater education, participation, and place value on the arts.

Our society and future depends on it.

References
Deikman, A. J. (2000). Service as a way of knowing.
In T. Hart, P. Nelson, & K. Puhakka (Eds.),
Transpersonal knowing: Exploring the horizon of
consciousness (pp. 303–318). Albany: State
University of New York Press.

Murphy, B. C., & Dillon, C. (1998). Interviewing in
action: Process and practice. Pacific Grove, CA:
Brooks/Cole.

Rogers, C. R. (1980). A way of being. New York:
Houghton Mifflin.

Hart, T. (2000). Deep empathy. In T. Hart, P. Nelson, &
K. Puhakka (Eds.), Transpersonal knowing:
Exploring the horizon of consciousness (pp. 253–
270). Albany: State University of New York Press

Ellis Paul Torrance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking. Scholastic Testing Service, Inc.. Millar, G.W. (1995). E. Paul Torrance, "The Creativity Man" : an Authorized Biography ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellis_Paul_Torrance –

Mark A. Runco
Creativity , Mark A. Runco, Annual Review of Psychology; Volume 55, Page. ... In Mark A. Runco, & Steven R. Protzler (Eds.), Encyclopedia of creativity. ...
unjobs.org/authors/mark-a.-runco

Interview with David Bohm - F. David Peat • Physics
David Bohm discusses his notions of wholeness as exhibited in the quantum theory . He explains his own idea of the implicate order and a holomovement that ...
www.fdavidpeat.com/interviews/bohm.htm

** for more information about an incredible arts program in Victor, NY please visit Lyric Academy Of Music