Transform.Ed Briefing #67

Inside the Briefing: From motivating children to read and write to laying the foundation for lifelong, life-wide learning- creativity turning reveries into realities

Apr 25, 2024

Inside the briefing:

Creativity is consistently rated as one of the top skills for the future. However, fostering creativity in schools often faces challenges within the one-size-fits-all standards-based environment.

Most schools often prioritize basic reading, writing, and maths skills over art, play, and creativity - all of which are crucial for the holistic growth and development of a child. Fostering creativity is as important in education as traditional literacies and should be treated with the same status, as articulated by Ken Robinson. Unfortunately, our education systems and teaching practices, more often than not, stifle creativity as opposed to nurturing it.

Last week, we asked our readers what could be a key concern for educators seeking to promote creativity and innovation in classrooms. About 50 percent of our respondents believed curriculum overload or the lack of time was the reason, while the rest were evenly split over lack of continuous professional development for teachers and difficulties in assessing creativity and innovation.

Creativity manifests in diverse forms and a good starting point could be to create a supportive environment where the intrinsic curiosity of a child is kindled and failing-forward (embracing failures as stepping stones to future success) is encouraged. Incorporating activities like concept cartooning and quickwrites could help spark creative thinking. Additionally, we can help students to set their own benchmarks and evaluate their work independently.

While acknowledging the challenges and opportunities ahead of us, the question is how can we help our students transform their creative reveries into realities? How can creativity be a part of who they are rather than merely a habit to resort to in their free time?

Share your thoughts and experiences with your global peers in the comments below or join the conversation on the Global Citizenship Foundation’s Educational Leadership Community, exclusively dedicated to educators worldwide. If you haven’t signed up yet, please get in touch with us here.

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In service of education and visionary education leaders,

— Aaryan Salman
Director-General
Global Citizenship Foundation