Creativity deserves an abundance of respect yet seemingly does not receive the credibility that it so deserves. Creativity is a seed in a child that should be nurtured, watered and fertilizing, for that seed has the potential to flourish into something that has the ability to change the world around us.
Take a moment to step back and think about those everyday tools and conveniences that we utilize on a daily basis without hesitation. Where did these conveniences come from, such as the laptop that I use to type this article? Some may argue that it was a combination of genius engineering and tireless experimentation and prototypes. I argue that this machine stemmed from the single idea of one being that was pondered day in and day out, shared and explored. It stemmed in the mind of an individual that yearned to devise, design and construct such a technological devise that would change the everyday lives of millions, like me and you.
Creativity and knowledge go hand in hand. With one, the other may thrive, without the other what is the point? Knowledge can be served and absorbed, but should be challenged continuously and explored readily.
This was not a "gift" from the high heavens or the ultimate creator, this was a brilliant idea that bloomed within a creative mind. A mind that was fed and encouraged from a young age to go with that thought, rather than being told to toss it aside has rubbish.
From both first and second hand experiences, I have come to find that school teachers and other related educational professionals have set the standards on what is "right" and what is "wrong". What is "possible" and what is "impossible". How are we to educate our children and encourage them to be leaders and innovators if we continuously set boundaries for them that have been created within society. Rather, we should be vigorously encouraging them to challenge the boundaries, discover new knowledge and share that knowledge with others. Knowledge is not a farm animal that should be tamed and confined within a corral. It is a that, which should be set free to roam, explore and challenge what it encounters.
Please encourage your children to embrace and follow their inner creativity and do so with their teachers, alike. It is crucial not only to their future but our future as a whole to remain prosperous.
Whitney Smith - A graduate of the University of Rhode Island earning a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Women's Studies. I have a passion for sharing ...
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