Forgetting What You Know (How to Start Thinking & Creating)

Photo: Jacob Barnett, You Tube

Forgetting what we know is essential to learning by, thinking and creating.

Educators and Parents: For a few minutes today, forget everything you know. Stop learning & just watch, think & create with this amazing young man!

Jacob Barnett is an American mathematician and child prodigy. At 8 years old, Jacob began sneaking into the back of college lectures at IUPUI. After being diagnosed with autism at the age of two and placed in his school’s special ed. program, Jacob’s teachers and doctors were astonished to find that he was able to teach calculus to college students.

Jacob is also CEO and founder of Wheel LLC, a business he started in his mom’s garage, and is in the process of writing a book to help end “math phobia” in his generation.

Jacob’s favorite pastime is playing basketball with the kids at his charity, Jacob’s Place. It is a place where kids with autism are inspired every day to be their true authentic selves…just like Jacob.

In the TEDxTeens video below, Jacob urges us to: "Stop Learning & Start thinking & Creating"

I think the bigger lesson to be learned for parents & educators is this: when that "difficult" or "non-compliant" student is not communicating or jumping through our educational/social hoops, they just might be thinking and creating beyond our perception. 

I am so inspired right now to forget everything I know (and start thinking & creating...)


Jacob Barnett TEDxTeen talk





Contact: barbara@bodylogique.com 




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Inside The Box: Are Our Schools Killing Creativity?

As I was reviewing materials from the workshops I attended last week, I came across this article with an excellent video talk by Sir Ken Robinson who makes some great points regarding our education systems.

He talks about the ADHD epidemic, and  urges us to collaborate more, encourage and build creative and science-based curriculums and to think of new and innovative ways to 'categorize' students in all  learning environments.

He points out that our systems are isolating & alienating our kids and serving them less because we have approached education from an industrialized 'production line' mentality. He calls for educational revolution rather than reform.

Sir Ken's knowledge, candidness and  humor not only offer simple solutions but also inspire new thinking. Well worth watching for all parents, educators and administrators (about 8 minutes-semi-animated format.)  Changing Education Paradigms

Original Post found here: The Frugal Teacher

More from Sir Ken Robinson:  Learning Revolution

To ask about our Yoga-based creative learning programs, contact Barbara at: barbara@bodylogique.com


*We welcome your comments, suggestions and insights. Please feel free to leave them below.

~Barbara

Every Brain is a Creative Brain

 I do not seek the meaning of creativity. I seek the experience of being creative.
               ~Unknown






Have you or someone you know ever said this?
 
 "Oh, I'm/my son is/my daughter is just not creative..."

Science tells us otherwise: Every Brain is a Creative Brain.

It has been long believed that the right side of the brain is the 'creative' side and the left is 'analytical'. Artists, musicians and writers are considered 'right brained' because they are creative & engineers, computer programmers & accountants are considered 'left brained' because of their analytical natures. Scientists now know that this is not completely true. In fact, many artists are considered to to be 'left brained' & many accountants are considered to be 'right brained'. Here is why:

Learning to sculpt, draw, paint or to play music are skills developed by following a template or pattern that is already in existence. (Such as a musical score, a 'still life' or portrait painting, or a sculpt of the human form.) Many accomplished portrait artists would not be able to paint a portrait, and object or a scene from memory, without having the subject right on front of them. This is a quality of the analytical, left side of the brain.

The right brain has the ability to think up & create something that has never been before-and not necessarily based on anything real. This would place abstract art under this (right brain) ability.

This is where the idea of 'right brained' people being creative originally came from. The truth is, that you, (and your child) can be either left or right brained and still be creative.

One way to stimulate creativity is to expose yourself (and your child) to fun, positive and varied social environments. While some children (and adults) tend to resist new social experiences, they are so important in many ways. They help a child to better understand people, cultures, themselves, the world we live in, & think of creative solutions whether it be problem solving or artistic expression. For adults, a positive social environment can be the difference between staying motivated & stagnating, whether socially or professionally.

Another way, and on of the easiest & best ways for adults & children to stimulate & enhance creativity is movement- play movement games, walk outdoors, swim, dance, yoga, karate, wash the car, dig in the garden, etc. All of these activities help to enhance creative thinking and reconnect the left and right sides of the brain. The TV, computer and other forms of sedentary activity don't help the brain to grow or to form new neuropathways or come up with any new or creative ideas.

Art, music, and reading/writing are other ways to stimulate creative ideas. It doesn't have to look perfect-it can be as simple as singing, or coloring with your child. (In addition, it will  increase focus, and reduce the stress response-which also inhibits creativity.)

The brain relies on stimulation in many forms to function as the amazing, creative organ that it is. Feed it with the right kinds of stimulation and it will always give you the wonderful experience of being creative.


For more information please visit:

Enhancing Your Creativity


BodyLogique Creative Fitness



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