| Doing Good Together Newsletter |
| Helping strengthen kids and communities through family volunteerism... |
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Nurturing creativity in our children isn't just fun and games. There is a close connection between the development of imagination and the development of empathy. When we understand how another is feeling and how they experience life differently from us, we can better imagine how to help. And, as we all know, our complex social issues will require original and innovative perspectives from tomorrow's adults. Creative pursuits can encourage children to get excited about problem solving - like how to help someone who is hungry, or how to make an elderly neighbor smile, or how to raise money for an animal shelter.
Jenny Friedman, Executive Director
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| Renaissance Kids | Make a Difference.....
Here are tips for fostering creativity in your children.
- Keep art materials handy, such as markers, paints, brushes, clay, pipe cleaners, colored pencils, yarn, recycled wrap and ribbon, glue, scissors, origami paper, rubber stamps and stamp pads.
- Talk to your child respectfully and with interest about his or her project. Ask open-ended questions, such as, "Tell me about your drawing." Rather than focus on the result, encourage your child to enjoy the process.
- Provide plenty of unstructured time for free, undirected play.
- In addition to traditional art supplies, provide other creativity-inducing materials, such as wooden blocks, dolls, puppets, large boxes, dress-up clothes, cheap cameras and journals.
- When you cook together, experiment with combining ingredients other than those called for in the recipe.
- Enjoy the creative process along with your child. Be nonjudgmental of your child and yourself.
 - Provide more experiences (hiking, visiting galleries, watching sunsets) than things. Talk about each activity.
- Try fun, simple science experiments, like predicting which everyday objects will float and which will sink (then throw each object into water to determine which guesses were correct).
- Share your own creative passions, whether it's music, science, writing, architecture or fashion. Talk about what you love and how it makes you feel.
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| Boosting Creativity | |
Talk About It.....
Exploring the creative process with children can further exercise their imagination.
- Let them know that having new and different ideas is OK and that making mistakes is a great way to learn. Encourage them to ask "why" and "why not?"
- Pose questions that require creative thinking:
- What are all the uses you can think of for this brick?
- What do those clouds look like?
- I wonder what would happen if...?
 Allow your children to express opinions that differ from yours. Respect their opinions even when they disagree.- When faced with a problem to solve, brainstorm ideas with your child. Don't immediately evaluate the ideas; just come up with as many possibilities as you can.
Learn About It.....
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds (Candlewick, 2003). "Just make your mark and see where it takes you," Vashti's art teacher tells her. This book will inspire those hesitant to explore their artistic spirit.
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| Inspiration | |
"Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not - and therefore the fount of all invention and innovation - in its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity it is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared."
J.K. Rowling
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| News from DGT | |
You're Invited!
The annual DGT fundraising gala is set for Friday, October 14, 2011, in downtown Minneapolis. Everyone is welcome (and encouraged!) to attend. The event is free, and we'll be featuring our traditional Wall of Wine Raffle, a live and silent auction, and fabulous entertainment. Complementary hors d'oeuvres, desserts and wine will be generously provided by Isaac Becker of 112 Eatery and Bar LaGrassa. Becker won the 2011 James Beard Foundation's award for Best Chef in the Midwest. Remember: Your generosity will enable us to help more families raise caring, compassionate children who give back to their community. Visit our website for more details.
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Doing Good Together is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that provides information and support to help people raise compassionate and socially conscious children through family volunteerism.
Copyright © 2011 Doing Good Together
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