Social Emotional Learning depends on 1.) That the way children and youth develop competencies, beliefs, and behaviors is through developmental experiences— opportunities to act in the world and reflect on their experiences; and 2) experiences are most influential in shaping the course of development when they take place within the context of strong, supportive, and sustained developmental relationships with important adults and peers.
-University of Chicago Consortium on School Research (UChicago Consortium), Foundations for Young Adult Success: A Developmental Framework.
The Importance of Creativity
Developmental experiences (from the quote above from an important research paper about SEL and art) is a fancy way of saying hands-on learning, right? Hands on learning allows you to touch and feel and see what you're learning about.
What is a better way to do that than being creative?
Creativity is important for Emotional Intelligence and well-being, according to researcher Dr. Zorana Ivcevic. You need to be calm and open-minded to be able to be patient and focused. Being patient and focused helps us to be creative.
You are being curious (what will this look or sound like?), resilient (this isn't what I wanted it to look like and I'll try again), adaptable (that didn't work, let me try another way), self- confident (I can do this!), developing empathy (this is what it feels like for others) and persistence (I can make this better and I'll try again), identifying your strengths (I'm really good at this part!) and working out your identity (this is who I am!). Those are just some of the skills you develop with creativity!
Creativity, at the most basic level, is something you put together that is unique. If your creative expression is making a collage of famous art that you love, it is unique.
You can create something that you hold in your hand or you can create a character. You can create a version of a famous character that is unique to you or you can create a new way of doing something.
Remember when you were really little and imagination was a huge part of what you did? That's creativity.
It's okay if you your creative project is following a recipe or formula to make something, because along the way you will make it unique.
But what is Creativity? What does it mean to be creative?
What is a better way to do that than being creative?
Creativity is important for Emotional Intelligence and well-being, according to researcher Dr. Zorana Ivcevic. You need to be calm and open-minded to be able to be patient and focused. Being patient and focused helps us to be creative.
You are being curious (what will this look or sound like?), resilient (this isn't what I wanted it to look like and I'll try again), adaptable (that didn't work, let me try another way), self- confident (I can do this!), developing empathy (this is what it feels like for others) and persistence (I can make this better and I'll try again), identifying your strengths (I'm really good at this part!) and working out your identity (this is who I am!). Those are just some of the skills you develop with creativity!
Creativity, at the most basic level, is something you put together that is unique. If your creative expression is making a collage of famous art that you love, it is unique.
You can create something that you hold in your hand or you can create a character. You can create a version of a famous character that is unique to you or you can create a new way of doing something.
Remember when you were really little and imagination was a huge part of what you did? That's creativity.
It's okay if you your creative project is following a recipe or formula to make something, because along the way you will make it unique.
But what is Creativity? What does it mean to be creative?
Types of Creativity
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Usually when we think of creativity, we might think of art class or crafts. Or the one friend who can draw really well, the Artist. But creativity isn't just about drawing or painting.
Creativity is how you express yourself. How you show who you are and how you feel to the world. When you are creative, you enter into a world where there are no bad ideas as long as you are expressing yourself. In a creative space, there should be no judgement. Learn More about Types of Creativity Here. |
Watering your Creativity Plant
The beautiful thing about creativity is that it is subjective. That means it's an expression of how you see the world.
There are lots of ways to be creative that are obvious like painting or building or taking an art class. But did you know there are lots of ways that you are creative that aren't obvious?
Before you say "I'm not really that creative," learn more about ways to be creative here.
There are lots of ways to be creative that are obvious like painting or building or taking an art class. But did you know there are lots of ways that you are creative that aren't obvious?
Before you say "I'm not really that creative," learn more about ways to be creative here.
Creativity and Anxiety
The ability to be creative, to create something from personal feelings and experiences, can reflect and nurture your emotional health.
As straight-lines-even-numbers and intricate-embellishments-chaos-colors loving anxious people, the arts have always had a magnetic draw. Some of us are very sensitive to the visual and audible (sights and sounds). Colors, textures, instruments or pitches can affect our emotions.
Creativity and Mental Health aren't just related, they are inseperable.
Being creative doesn't only help you express your emotions, but it helps you practice your social emotional skills to better manage anxiety. You need creativity to find ways to identify and express your thoughts. You will need to be creative in finding strategies for your plan. In turn, your emotions help you unleash creativity. Without your unique way of thinking, you cannot be creative.
Learn More about Creativity and Anxiety Here.
As straight-lines-even-numbers and intricate-embellishments-chaos-colors loving anxious people, the arts have always had a magnetic draw. Some of us are very sensitive to the visual and audible (sights and sounds). Colors, textures, instruments or pitches can affect our emotions.
Creativity and Mental Health aren't just related, they are inseperable.
Being creative doesn't only help you express your emotions, but it helps you practice your social emotional skills to better manage anxiety. You need creativity to find ways to identify and express your thoughts. You will need to be creative in finding strategies for your plan. In turn, your emotions help you unleash creativity. Without your unique way of thinking, you cannot be creative.
Learn More about Creativity and Anxiety Here.
Creative Thinking
Creativity and critical thinking are interconnected. They are considered essential soft skills in the modern world.
Creativity allows us to think outside the box and develop new ideas, solutions, and perspectives. It helps drive innovation, progress, and growth in many areas, including the arts, sciences, technology, and business.
Here are some of the crucial creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Creativity allows us to think outside the box and develop new ideas, solutions, and perspectives. It helps drive innovation, progress, and growth in many areas, including the arts, sciences, technology, and business.
Here are some of the crucial creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Design Thinking
Design thinking is applying creativity and innovation to our actions, decision making, and problem solving. More significantly, it focuses on the impact that this creative and innovative thinking has on individuals.
Have you ever noticed patterns? Patterns in math or ELA or in social studies? Have you ever been frustrated that you have to memorize facts instead of exploring patterns or connections?
Design thinking allows you to find all kinds of associations and possible connections among different pieces of information instead of memorizing them as separate segments. Read more here or by clicking on the box.
Have you ever noticed patterns? Patterns in math or ELA or in social studies? Have you ever been frustrated that you have to memorize facts instead of exploring patterns or connections?
Design thinking allows you to find all kinds of associations and possible connections among different pieces of information instead of memorizing them as separate segments. Read more here or by clicking on the box.
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