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

Keeping Kids Healthy Is a Key To Success

Fast food restaurants, computers and television, and our busy schedules are constant reminders of how quickly life moves these days. This is precisely why we need to slow down and make time for lessons about healthy eating so that children can learn the value of nutrition at a young age.

Finding an equilibrium

If you need a reference point for how to start planning your day from a nutritional perspective, check out the Food Guide Pyramid. This will provide you with a well-rounded view of what to eat and how much from each of the food groups. Eating fruits and vegetables guarantees that your children are consuming the fiber, vitamins, and minerals that they need. Limiting sugars and fats keeps cholesterol and weight down, and the heart healthy.

Kick it off with breakfast

Starting the day with a healthy breakfast means that kids are fueling their internal fires to keep them active. Your child will be alert, engaged, and better able to fight off potential sickness. You want your children to learn good habits from you so make sure that you eat a balanced breakfast as well.

Employing common sense

Teaching your children about how to eat well for life requires common sense. For instance, if you deem certain foods to be off limits then they will be more appealing to your children. Instead of forbidding these foods completely, consider allowing your children to have them in moderation while constantly encouraging other healthier, tasty alternatives.

Avoiding stress in the home

Learning to manage stress from a young age leads to a lifetime of positive physical and mental health attributes. If your home is filled with fighting then that will affect your parenting style and your children's self-esteem. This can negatively impact their digestive systems and their food choices in the form of binge eating to assuage guilty feelings. To develop a solid family structure with open communication, strive to eliminate persistent criticism and other disputes.

Family mealtime

The prime opportunity for you to lead by example is by eating together as a family. Not only can you teach your children proper table manners but also you can demonstrate your positive attitude towards food. This also shows children that preparing food at home is the ideal way to bring the family together and to eat food that has been cooked in a controlled environment using healthy ingredients.

Picky eaters

Despite your best efforts to pave the way, you may find that your children still exhibit picky eating habits. Here are tips for tackling this problem:

• Make the effort to diversify the menu at home. This will, in turn, encourage your children to be more adventurous with their eating.

• Be patient but persistent. Continue to offer the food to your children but within reason. Don't expect them to lick their plates clean as children's appetites are different than adults.

• Don't use family meals as opportunities to argue about what your child is or is not eating. Make the family, not the food, the focus of the meal.

• Ask your children to help you choose and cook the meal so they are more likely to enjoy it.

• If you think your child is lacking important nutrients because of their restricted eating then consult your pediatrician about taking supplements.

Balance and moderation are essential to ensure proper digestion. Pair healthy eating habits with regular exercise and your young ones will be well on their way to achieving a healthy lifestyle.

Paul Banas is a founder of GreatDad.com. He writes articles on pregnancy care, baby names, toilet training, parenting tips and many more topics related to dads.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=P._Banas

Time Is A Kids' Key To Success

A really special gift you can give your kids is time.

We all know there isn't enough of it in the day, and certainly not enough to carve out individual time with each child ever day! (I don't know about you, but I do a little victory dance when I have a chance to take a 10 minute shower!)

Life really changed for me (for the better) when I decided to stay home with my children. I still had to work but my schedule is flexible and allows me the time I need to make sure my kids have quality face time with me.

If you had a career like mine (I was a clinical social worker), there was no way for me to see clients at home, away from the trauma center). Plus, my work was super stressful and full of long hours. Not ideal when trying to add the role of "mom" into the mix.

So, I wasn't able to transfer my day job into a home based job. Instead I said good-bye to my career in trauma counseling and welcomed a new challenge... home based business.

My problem was I didn't know anything about computers, marketing, or Online, anything!

So I found an awesome company, GCFN and it gave me the support and the tools I needed to learn. I even won the "Student of the Month" contest!

Check it our here!



The great thing is, I know I can do it, so I know you can too...if you are interested...



Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Mary!

No "Downing" This Down's Dad!

Kids' Keys Recently had an awesome opportunity to interview Martin Ramirez, not once but twice!! (we had a technical problem the first time which offered greater insight to us!)

I have learned so much from these interviews. Martin Ramirez is a humble, compassionate, and inspiring father. He shared how his son, Mario, born with Down Syndrome, became his mentor. Mario transformed his father’s life and will now change ours!

We know the statistics… *approximately 1 out of a 1000 children born will be diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome. Often when a parent is told his child is born with a chromosomal abnormality the picture of the family a parent once had is forever changed and is often viewed as challenging, mostly with struggles.

Martin, however, turns that assumption on it's head.“Mario’s world is ‘judge free’, stated Martin Ramirez, “He’s neutral, neither positive nor negative and has taught me the secrets to lead with your heart and not your head,” and now, Martin is teaching us through Mario’s voice.

Martin Ramirez, recently wrote Living It Up With Downs, How My Son Became My Mentor and is now offering motivational and personal coaching presentations.

Through his book, speaking engagements, and his every day practice Martin shares how Mario helps him (in turn helps us) to find purpose and the tools to living a fuller life.

With so many people talking about the trials and everyday struggles families face with Down Syndrome, Martin Ramirez redirects the focus from, “It’s not what you get,” to “It’s what you become” because every family has their own struggles and own "handicaps", so to speak.

Martin has taken his role as father to three boys with serious optimism. How many parents can say they live by example they teach?

Martin lives the way he wants his sons to live and often uses little gems like, “Make what ever you do - the product of your own conclusion," to remind his sons to build confidence and self-purpose.

Martin challenges everyone to face any challenge with enthusiasm and curiosity. He gives simple tips, learned from Mario, on how to get here, such as negotiating without a power struggle. To hear more about what this amazing father has to say, visit Kids’ Keys To Success.

Listen to the “Down’s Dad” training for free at http://www.kidskeystosuccess.com/interviews/index.html


* Stats taken from http://www.telebyte.com/upside/up-rambl.html September 12, 2008