What Makes Genius?
Saw this as I was waiting at the check out in the grocery store. I never buy magazines but Albert was on the cover in a hand knit sweater and the last image in the article is a photograph of a person experiencing one of Calder's mobiles with a quote.
"A mobile is a piece of poetry that dances with the joy of life and surprise." -Alexander CalderCalder is one of my heroes as is Einstein. They speak to my soul with their works and their ideas about life.
This issue spoke to me as a teacher of the very young. It validated my teaching philosophy and in that it validates me as a person. There is a list of things to help children with their creativity that really spoke to me.
here is that list and my thoughts on the points:
How to nurture genius
- Model a curious mind, a willingness to take risks, and a strong work ethic. (this is a big thing for me creating a space for children to get it wrong and be able to try again)
- Nurture their passions, because they'll want to delve into what they love. (why I am so passionate about emergent curriculum because it comes from the children's interests)
- Praise the effort and not the ability. (when we take the time to recognize the effort that went in to activity children feel that their effort has worth and are more willing to try again and see if they can achieve a higher level of competency)
- Make time to play, which fosters imagination. (the joy in true play brings out the creativity in all of us no matter how old or what our IQ is)
- Give them music lessons for fun and to exercise their brains. (knowing that the lessons may not get them on the stage preforming but will enhance the functioning of their brains because they had fun while learning)
- Teaching them a foreign language,which stimulates neuronal connections. (I never discourage the use of home langues at school, just because I don't always understand does not mean that the use of the language is not beneficial to the child. Pulse I often learn new words)
- Let them tackle challenges on their own without swooping in. (It is often painful to sit through a child struggling but the look of triumph on their faces when they do it themselves is worth it)
- Introducing them to inspiring peers and mentoring adults. (having experts come into the class is always an exciting way to scaffold new creative ideas from the children)
- Spend time every week doing puzzles and brainstorming riddles. (as a child I was able to try to work on puzzles that were beyond my age level. I was left to struggle with them till I completed them or till I asked my great uncle for help this was very empowering)
- Take them travelling; openness to new experiences fosters creativity. (one does not have to travel far, going someplace that is outside of your normal everyday is always an adventure that will foster observation and questions)
This short list of how to help children nurture their potential sparked ideas that I shall run with for a while. A friend and colleague asked me what helps you be a more rounded teacher, I said, "Listen to the CBC and dig in the dirt." I may need to add always pay attention to the magazines in the check out line. You never know what useful info will be put in your way.
go to the library read this issue cover to cover...or buy a copy for your self and then share it...it is an very interesting read hopefully it will help you rethink IQ...it is not just all about scoring high but reaching your potential and pushing it...what can you achieve if you are driven by a curiosity