Hi, Folks -
Many years ago I came across a lift of "Creativity Killers" that really rang true for me. :) The above post on how Surveillance reduces productivity reminded me of that list. As I recall, one of the items on it was "Surveillance".
I wish I could find that exact list again, because it was simple and straightforward and would apply to children and adults alike.
Here's one that's at least close to my remembered list. :) Found here as part of a long article:
http://thesecondprinciple.com/creativity/children-creativity/killingcreativityinchildren/
...here's someone's version of the list:
- Surveillance – Hovering over kids, making them feel that they’re constantly being watched while they are working, . . . under constant observation, the risk-taking, creative urge goes underground and hides . . .
- Evaluation – When we constantly make kids worry about how they are doing, they ignore satisfaction with their accomplishments. . . .
- Rewards – The excessive use of prizes . . . deprives a child of the intrinsic pleasure of creative activity.
- Competition – Putting kids in a win-lose situation, where only one person can come out on top, . . . negates the process children progress at their own rates.
- Over-control – Constantly telling kid how to do things, . . . often leaves children feeling like their originality is a mistake and any exploration a waste of time.
- Restricting choice – Telling children which activities they should engage in instead of letting them follow where their curiosity and passion lead . . . again restricts active exploration and experimentation that might lead to creative discovery and production.
- Pressure – Establishing grandiose expectations for a child’s performance . . . often ends up instilling aversion for a subject or activity. . . .Unreasonably high expectations often pressure children to perform and conform within strictly prescribed guidelines, and, again, deter experimentation, exploration, and innovation. Grandiose expectations are often beyond children’s developmental capabilities.
The full article is here:
http://thesecondprinciple.com/creativity/children-creativity/killingcreativityinchildren/
One item perhaps missing from that list is "Deadlines and Time Constraints". It's okay to have a completion date that needs to be met, but creativity itself requires time to daydream - hard to do if the pressure's on. :)
Found here:
"I Can't! I Won't! I Don't!"
Stop the top five creativity killers in your house
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/families/at-home/supporting-young-artists/i-cant-i-wont
...is another list worthy of note:
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1. Not enough free time:
Leslie Owen Wilson, Ed. D., professor emeritus at the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, emphasizes that creativity is a messy, time-consuming process which involves lots of trial and error—and can’t be rushed. To be creative, kids need to let their minds roam free and that takes time. So make sure your child has ample and regular downtime, afternoons free of extracurricular and organized activities and obligations, where he can just daydream...and experiment.
2. Fear of failure:
Kids can’t experiment if they’re worried about failing. According to Professor Wilson, failing is an essential part of the creative process: “Children who have been pressured into trying to be perfect will sometimes no longer even try new things because they cannot do it perfectly the first time.” It is important that parents communicate to kids that there is no right/wrong, no win/lose, when it comes to the arts. The product isn’t as important as the process. Try not to over evaluate your child’s end product (“What a beautiful rose painting!" or “That doesn’t really look like a rose.”), and focus instead on the process ("Where did you get the idea to paint that? What were the first steps you took?").
3. Too much monitoring:
No one can be creative with someone looking over her shoulder or watching her every move. So you'll want to be sure you afford your child not just time to create, but space as well. Ensure that they can enjoy a messy, trial-and-error process of creating without having to worry about an audience. It’s not just physical space, but mental space as well. Nothing cramps creativity like too many restrictions. A few important rules that protect everyone’s safety and maintain respect are important, but beyond that, kids should have the freedom to explore without a long list of do’s and don’ts.
4. Lack of choice:
When kids’ days are controlled entirely by school or by parents, the opportunity to make choices is very limited. They don’t practice making decisions and solving problems, which they'll need in any creative endeavor. Says Wilson, “In order for creativity to flourish, children must not only experiment with solving problems, they must also become good finders of problems to solve.”
5. A self-critical example:
Children are like sponges, absorbing much of what parents do and say, both the positive and the negative. So while it may seem innocuous, or even sympathetic, to mention, “Oh, I was never any good at drawing,” or “I have no ear for music,” you should remember that your impressionable children are listening. Don't be surprised, then, if you hear those same, self-critical sentiments from them.
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There's a bit more to that article, you can read it here:
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/families/at-home/supporting-young-artists/i-cant-i-wont
Blessings.
--hobie
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