The Importance of Being Creative

Recently I have been looking into the importance of the arts and being creative. Having been a dance teacher and performer for many years, I believe the arts are extremely important.  These are some of my opinions why:

  • improves confidence
  • improves mobility
  • gives students the freedom to express themselves
  • gives students a sense of belonging or community
  • creates more friendship groups
  • teaches discipline
  • improves communication skills

I came across this blog from TedEd.

https://blog.ed.ted.com/2018/04/02/why-dance-is-just-as-important-as-math-in-school/

Sir Ken Robinson talks about how creativity is within us all, and we should all have a right to access it and use it. However, many education systems put far more ‘importance’ on subjects such as maths and literacy. What I find interesting is how he talks about how being creative doesn’t have to stay within the arts. You can be creative in any subject. This is so important for children, because curiosity is a key way children and adults learn. Coming up with new and creative ways to teach them keeps them engaged. 

Below is a video of Sir Ken Robinson talking about his opinion on the arts. Please let me know your thoughts and your opinions on this topic.




 

Bibliography

https://blog.ed.ted.com/2018/04/02/why-dance-is-just-as-important-as-math-in-school/ (Accessed 24/10/2020)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuzbcvTaukQ (Accessed 24/10/2020) 

Comments

  1. Serina Faull25 October 2020 at 10:32

    Creativity is not "exotic"! Love it! We all have it. This video has really changed my approach to creativity, it is everywhere. Buildings, technology, advertisements... it is all around us. I wonder how the use of creativity will be utilised in schools for the next generation. I feel like children have less imagination nowadays, I work part-time in primary schools and they use objects to play with, bicycles to ride, not creating their own imaginary fairyland like I used to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alys May-James27 October 2020 at 11:04

      Yes completely! Getting children and adults to embrace and develop their imagination is becoming harder and harder. So many things are just given to them pre-done and so they don't have to use any imagination. Hopefully this can change and people will start to see the importance of creativity and imagination. :)

      Delete
  2. Anonymous26 October 2020 at 00:27

    I love that you have identified creativity does not have to just be showcased in the Arts! This is such an important point to make. Yes creativity can be very apparent in the Arts and can be a great way to generate ideas but it is not the only place where we can explore our creativity. Thank you for this reminder!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alys May-James27 October 2020 at 11:06

      Yes indeed! Why does literacy always have to be sat down behind a desk writing? Yes that has its merits, but surely that isn't how every lesson has to go! Thank you :)

      Delete
  3. Alice Pettini26 October 2020 at 14:46

    Hi Alys, I have also been looking into creativity for my Module One essay. As I am now working in a school for children with SEN, I am discovering creativity as an extraordinary way of self-expression and communication. As dancers, we have the skills to be creative, and we are lucky that we can promote and share this creativity with our students. As discussed in the video you have shared, creativity is everywhere. Like Serina, I also notice that some children are less creative in the present day, but do you think as we grow up, this skill slightly deteriorates anyway? x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alys May-James27 October 2020 at 11:08

      Hi Alice,
      I think that as we get older we become embarrassed and that stops our imagination and creativity. We become more aware of what people may think of us and worry we will be judged. When we aren't using that skill, I guess it becomes weaker and fades away slightly. Creativity is an amazing way for children to express themselves :) Thank you!

      Delete

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