Bay Area Discovery Museum Blog http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/ to engage, delight and educate parents. Secondarily, to provide thought-leadership on children’s issues. en Bay Area Discovery Museum Blog http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/typo3conf/ext/tt_news/ext_icon.gif http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/ 18 16 to engage, delight and educate parents. Secondarily, to provide thought-leadership on children’s issues. TYPO3 - get.content.right http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:12:00 -0600 BayAreaDiscoveryMuseumBloghttp://feedburner.google.com “Conformity and creativity run in separate directions.” http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BayAreaDiscoveryMuseumBlog/~3/yR70z8SXT4k/ “Conformity and creativity run in separate directions.” This lovely sentiment from Martina... How to Create Creativity simply states what I think we all feel in our gut. Her article offers tools and techniques for adults to harness their creativity and in her words, “Expand your mind and give it lots of input.” She identifies 3 strategies often used by those in the “creative industry” to jump start their flow. I think these are also tools we, as parents and educators, can use with the children we know. Most adults have been asked to Brainstorm in one context or another. I’m not suggesting you bust out a Sharpie and one of those giant post-it pads with your 3-year-old corporate retreat style, but I do think the idea is useful, especially when dealing with redirecting behavior. Skender defines the process:
"The Brainstorming process starts off with the problem clearly stated and recognized by all participants. One person out of the group is chosen to write down all the ideas that are suggested in order to make them simultaneously visible to all others."
Let me demonstrate: Little Billy wants Sally’s truck. He takes it and she hits him. They are both crying now. Using the brainstorm tactics, state the problem, “Billy you wanted Sally’s truck but she’s not done using it. Sally you hit Billy. Let’s think of some ideas to solve this problem together.” Voila! You are brainstorming with children. See, creativity is not just useful for solving the oil crisis. Teaching children creative thinking skills can help them navigate complicated social situations as well. Next in Skender’s toolkit is, “Lateral Thinking:” adopted from Edward de Bono:
"Lateral Thinking is a creative technique that encourages reasoning that is not immediately obvious, and ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional step-by-step logic. It is about finding a solution to problems through an indirect approach."
Another way to describe this concept is sideways or tangential thinking. This is how it seems a lot of kids think naturally. They are able to see things as connected in ways adults don’t. It reminds me of staring at the clouds and identifying the shapes as real objects: a bear, a motorcycle, an omelet. That sounds like a great way to practice this with kids, in fact. I also love the Brian Eno affiliated Oblique Strategies. While not designed for children these are a fun way for grown-ups to revisit the lateral mode of thought. The deck of cards offers suggestions like:
  • Steal a solution.
  • Describe the landscape in which this belongs.
  • What else is this like?
  • List the qualities it has. List those you'd like.
  • Instead of changing the thing, change the world around it.
Last in her list of tasty creative tidbits Skender suggests Problem Reversal offering Magritte’s classic “This is not a pipe” painting as a suggestion. She defines the concept as a method based on, “stating the problem in reverse. Change a positive statement into a negative one.”  Now that is 4-year-old territory for real. I mean if you want to make a 4-year-old crack up say something like, “What if giant mice ate giant cheese?” or “Dinosaurs were not mean they were more like kittens.” Problem reversal seems like it has many practical applications for kids and adults, but above all of them it’s good fun to think of things in reverse, explore the opposites, and turn them upside down or inside out. It’s true that as children grow there are social norms they really do have to adopt (potty training comes to mind).  But the idea of “conformity” frightens me. Skender wraps up her piece by paraphrasing our pal Sir Ken Robinson, “by the time kids became adults, most have lost their capacity to be creative; they have become frightened to be wrong – they get educated out of creativity.”  Let’s stop that right now.  Go outside, stare at the clouds and get busy being creative. And while you’re at it, help the kids you know practice too.
]]> Heather Posner Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:12:00 -0600 http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/blog/post/article/conformity-and-creativity-run-in-separate-directions/ Striving for Excellence Conference Handout http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BayAreaDiscoveryMuseumBlog/~3/3tqY5Exnj5A/ We had a wonderful time presenting at the 2010 Striving for Excellence Conference.  Below you'll... Bay Area Discovery Museum at Striving Excellence 2010

Bruce Simon- Director of Education
Kathleen Sheridan- Connections Manager
Heather Posner- Public Programs Manager

The qualities we use to describe creativity, explore, discover, immerse, imagine, and connect are innate in all children.  By supporting children through open-ended, child-directed, authentic experiences we allow these qualities to flourish and thrive.  Even in an education system dominated by standardized curriculum and assessment, these qualities are requirements for children to develop a complete set of skills and aptitudes to successfully manage the challenges they will face as they grow and develop.  As with literacy and math, the first five years of a child’s life are tremendously important for the enhancement and support of creative development.

The below except from an interview with Seth Godin clearly illustrates the role confidence and fear of failure play in nurturing creativity.
There are two secrets to creativity:

1. Understand that there's no gene for it. No cultural or family history required. Creativity isn't a gift from above; it's something that everyone is capable of.

2. The only thing that prevents your creativity from showing up is fear. Fear of being laughed at, fear of being wrong, fear of seeming uninformed. So many creative exercises and habits revolve around overcoming that fear.
For me, the single best thing you can do to become more creative is to be wrong more often. Creative people are wrong all the time (look at Apple's long string of failures). The goal is to create a safe place to be wrong, a way to be wrong without destroying yourself. [Along these lines, I remind myself to enjoy the fun of failure.] The more wrong I am, the more often, the better I seem to get at being creative.

Explore
When children explore they are laying the foundation for creative thinking.  They are collecting experiences which they can reflect on later.  They identify problems, use adaptive reasoning, and ask questions.
•    Mix’ n ’Match Collage

Discover
As children make discoveries they demonstrate divergent thinking, make things no one else has, test out ideas and theories and combine elements to invent new and novel innovations.
•    Baking Soda and Vinegar beakers

Immerse
If a child is immersed in something they will work for long periods of time without seeking any interaction, may use private speech, or take pauses to contemplate what lies in front of them.
•    Make your own story book


Imagine
When children use their imagination they create narratives, invent fantasies, and endow lifeless objects with personality traits for use in dramatic play.
•    Mask Making

Connect
As children make connections they are working on pattern recognition, and synthesizing information into concrete actions.   Children learn by studying other people and practice social skills as they collaborate on projects
•    Not-A-Box

Tips to ease facilitating projects like this:
•    Plastic shower curtains and tablecloths
•    Limited supply available and add more as needed
•    Accept the mess and ask for help
•    Hand washing bins


Group Brainstorm
Challenges-
Resources and materials-
Books and inspiration-
New ideas-
Resources

Bos, Bev. Don’t Move the Muffin Tins.  Turn-The-Page Press, Inc.  Roseville, CA.  1978.

Bos, Bev. Together We’re Better. Turn-The-Page Press, Inc.  Roseville, CA.  

Chalufour, Ingrid.  Worth, Karen.  Exploring Water With Young Children.  Redleaf Press.  2005.

Chalufour, Ingrid.  Worth, Karen.  Discovering Nature With Young Children.  Redleaf Press.  2003.

Schirrmacher, Robert.  Art and Creative Development for Young Children.  Thomson Delmar Learning.  2006.

Gandini, Lela. Topal, Weisman. Cathy. Beautiful Stuff! Learning With Found Materials.  Davis Publications Inc. Worcester, MA.  1999.

Children’s Books

Beaumont, Karen.  I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More.  Harcourt, Inc.  Orlando2005.

Kirwan, Wednesday.  Nobody Notices Minerva.  Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.  2007.

Lehman, Barbara.  The Red Book.  Houghton Mifflin Books.  2004.

Portis, Antoinette.  Not a Box.  Harper Collins Childrens.  2006.

Tauss, Marc.  Superhero.  Scholastic Press.  2005. Supplies •    Carolina Biological Supply
•    East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse:
4695 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, CA 94609
•    Discount School Supply
•    Dollar Store
•    Scrap (Scroungers for Reusable Art Parts):
801 Toland Street, San Francisco * entrance on Newcomb between Toland & Selby

]]> Heather Posner Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:45:00 -0600 http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/blog/post/article/striving-for-excellence-conference-handout/ World on Stage: Sanhiti http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BayAreaDiscoveryMuseumBlog/~3/HQsvHXMpaWc/ Saturday, February 6 11 a.m. India is a land of myths and legends, which are told through richly... Buy tickets online. World On Stage Ethnic Performance Series 2010 January 9 – February 27
Discovery Theatre, presented by Wells Fargo Members $7; General Child $12; General Adult $14  (includes Museum admission)
]]> Heather Posner Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/blog/post/article/world-on-stage-sanhiti/ World on Stage: Minoan Dancers http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BayAreaDiscoveryMuseumBlog/~3/3UtwkKxTKXU/ Saturday, January 30 11 a.m. In the Mediterranean country of Greece, dancing emphasizes community... Saturday, January 30 11 a.m. In the Mediterranean country of Greece, dancing emphasizes community and customs. Wearing beautifully crafted costumes, the Minoan Dancers exuberantly share their love of dance and of Greek culture.  Buy tickets online. World On Stage Ethnic Performance Series 2010 January 9 – February 27
Discovery Theatre, presented by Wells Fargo Members $7; General Child $12; General Adult $14  (includes Museum admission)
]]> Heather Posner Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:11:00 -0600 http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/blog/post/article/world-on-stage-minoan-dancers/ World on Stage: Chinyakare Ensemble http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BayAreaDiscoveryMuseumBlog/~3/OsCppXYHmNI/ Saturday, January 23 11 a.m. Chinyakare Ensemble presents the incredibly varied spectrum of... Saturday, January 23 11 a.m. Chinyakare Ensemble presents the incredibly varied spectrum of Zimbabwean music and dance. Harmonically weaving voices with traditional instruments and dance, they celebrate the beauty and power of southern African culture.  Buy tickets online. World On Stage Ethnic Performance Series 2010 January 9 – February 27
Discovery Theatre, presented by Wells Fargo Members $7; General Child $12; General Adult $14  (includes Museum admission)
]]> Heather Posner Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/blog/post/article/world-on-stage-chinyakare-ensemble/ World on Stage: SoVoSó http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BayAreaDiscoveryMuseumBlog/~3/kjDyJyOzOjA/

YouTube
Monday, January 18 11 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Come honor the memory of Dr....
YouTube Monday, January 18 11 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Come honor the memory of Dr. Martin LutherKing, Jr. with SoVoSó. Be uplifted by this amazing a cappella ensemble’s unique, rhythmic mix of jazz, gospel, world and R & B music. Buy tickets online.
World On Stage
Ethnic Performance Series 2010 January 9 – February 27
Discovery Theatre, presented by Wells Fargo Members $7; General Child $12; General Adult $14  (includes Museum admission)
]]> Heather Posner Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:57:00 -0600 http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/blog/post/article/world-on-stage-sovoso/ World on Stage: Raices de Mi Tierra http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BayAreaDiscoveryMuseumBlog/~3/-RdYM7U62K4/ Saturday, January 16 11 a.m. Raices de Mi Tierra presents a lively celebration of the rich,... Raices de Mi Tierra presents a lively celebration of the rich, cultural heritage of Mexico. This colorful performance showcases traditional folkloric dance and music performed by talented dancers, wearing a beautiful array of regional dress.  Buy tickets online. World On Stage Ethnic Performance Series 2010 Discovery Theatre, presented by Wells Fargo Members $7; General Child $12; General Adult $14  (includes Museum admission)
]]> Heather Posner Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:45:00 -0600 http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/blog/post/article/world-on-stage-raices-de-mi-tierra/ Creativity: We Are Not Alone http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BayAreaDiscoveryMuseumBlog/~3/i1UWx-fWrPM/ Creativity is our thing here. And we are not alone. Two articles out this week from CBS... CBS News and The New York Times have our back on the importance of this skill.  Yes creativity is in fact a skill; or as my go to text book Art and Creative Development for Young Children by Robert Schirrmacher states, “Creativity is an attitude not an aptitude.”  These articles offer great research to back up that point.

CBS news cited Daniel Pink speaker at Discovery Forum in 2009, as well as Dr. Nancy Andreasen, psychiatrist who specializes in creativity.  She’s noticed common threads in people who have “creative personalities:”

"They're not just curious about what they do, they're curious about all kinds of things," Dr. Andreasen said. "They're adventuresome. They push the envelope. They are rebellious. They have a sense of humor."

Sound like any 4-year-olds you know?  It reminds me of some of our regular young visitors who exhibit those personality traits here daily, sometimes all at once.  At this point you may be thinking,” Yeah, kids are creative all the time, that’s kids stuff, big deal.”

Enter The New York Times article on how the current trend in business schools is training future CEOs to think more critically and creatively about problems.  They profile Roger Martin, dean at the Rotman School of Management in Toronto who posits:

…students needed to learn how to think critically and creatively every bit as much as they needed to learn finance or accounting. More specifically, they needed to learn how to approach problems from many perspectives and to combine various approaches to find innovative solutions.

We live in challenging times where culture, technology, art and science intersect, and breed new innovations at a whirlwind pace.  And if your kids are going to compete- in business schools, art schools, medical schools ad infinitum you want them hang onto those creative thinking skill they have been born with.  There is no better place to practice then right here at the Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Want to learn more about how creative thinking has paid off for grown-ups?  Please join us at Forum on February 1st featuring Dana King in conversation with Steve Wozniak- the ultimate creativity success story.


]]> Heather Posner Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:06:00 -0600 http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/blog/post/article/creativity-we-are-not-alone/ World on Stage: ABADA Capoeira http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BayAreaDiscoveryMuseumBlog/~3/m6z8XmPH95E/ Saturday, January 9 11 a.m. The first performance in our World on Stage series, Capoeira, an... World on Stage series, Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art fuses acrobatics, dance, percussion and song in a rhythmic dialogue of body, mind and spirit. African slaves in Portuguese-colonized Brazil developed this rigorous form of self-defense. ABADA shows how they camouflaged the art with music, song and dance so they could practice it undetected. Click here for info about ABADA Capoeira.  Buy tickets online.
World On Stage
Ethnic Performance Series 2010 Discovery Theatre, presented by Wells Fargo Members $7; General Child $12; General Adult $14  (includes Museum admission)
]]> Heather Posner Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:33:00 -0600 http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/blog/post/article/world-on-stage-abada-capoeira/ Connections Winter Update http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BayAreaDiscoveryMuseumBlog/~3/dOfsa6A8Knc/ When was the last time you spent an afternoon with your hands in the dirt? And I mean really... When was the last time you spent an afternoon with your hands in the dirt? And I mean really getting messy—digging, mixing, shaking, stirring, and pouring dirt and water. When did you last spend quality time looking at a worm? Did you notice how it moves its body? Or how it feels in your hand? Can you remember the satisfaction of spending endless hours outside? For many of the children participating in the Connections program, visits to the Museum provide a rare opportunity to spend time in the outdoors in a safe, comfortable environment. In its second year, Connections is providing over 1,250 children time to explore nature through creative play. Through extended programming around the theme On the Bay—the land, sea, and air around the Bay Area—children will mix up mud pies, hold worms, climb around trees, dissect an owl pellet, create flying creatures, visit our beach, and more. And within Lookout Cove’s 2.5 acres, children can spend countless hours discovering the great outdoors. We know it has been a successful visit when they leave the Museum covered with dirt, mud, paint and a smile on their face. Hopefully, these children will remember their time at the Museum and continue to nurture their relationship with their local environment. Here are some simple ideas to support your children in creative outdoor play:
  • Fill a large bin with dirt. Place gardening tools, watering cans, and buckets. Allow children to dig, mix, and explore the many different types of mud they can create. Dress your children in older clothes and allow them to be covered in mud.
  • Or simply go outside and play in the rain and mud. Adults seem to worry more about getting wet and messy then children. Make sure you have dry clothes and a warm cup of hot chocolate ready inside. Mud and water are excellent sensory experiences that support children’s understanding of their bodies and their surroundings.
  • Go on a bug hunt. After a rain is the best time to find worms, slugs, and snails. Let your children hold them—they won’t bite! What does it feel like? How do they move their bodies? Make sure you put your found creatures back where you found them.
  • Or simply put out dirt, shovels, seeds, and water. Wait and see what grows!
]]> Kathleen Sheridan Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:38:00 -0600 http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/blog/post/article/connections-winter-update/