When adults hear that I run Art classes for children; they on occasion tell me about their experiences with their Art Teacher when they were younger. The negative shared experiences are similar – there was no room to deviate from what their teacher had in mind. Understandably, there are reasonable intensions (curriculum, school standards etc) but at the same time, it has left a negative lasting impression.
There is no doubt we are all wired for creativity. Whether creativity is expressed in Artistic expressions or Cookery skills or Music or Literary Skills or Designing Computer Games, creativity is what we humans excel in. Our Creative expressions are woven into our cultural expressions. It brings us together. It connects us.
I love facilitating the various sessions with the children. One of my key goals in each session is encouraging the children to explore the wide expanse of the ‘Creative Landscape’. Currently, we are in the middle of an Australian Theme in the Art Classes and reading Roald Dahl’s The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me (illustrated by Quentin Blake). Learning about the beauty uniqueness of the Animals in Australia and discovering Art X Stories Sessions we are just warming up with creating our own supplies for ‘The Grubber’ using alliterations.
A common concern of parents of Gen Z, myself included; is how much our children are consumed by their electronic devices and social media. At the heart of all the scrolling, is a desire to connect. It is what drives FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). I think the antidote to this is allowing more opportunities for creativity to be nurtured.
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