Parents naturally want the best for their child academically. So, when research comes out illustrating how the early years have a tremendous impact on future intelligence, the pressure is on to teach those “3 R’s: ‘Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmatic” as early as possible. The unfortunate result of this has been children who are being fed facts and solutions for memorization, without any basis for their own problem solving or sense of exploration of the information they learn. Early childhood programs feel the pressure as well and are getting caught in this same trap: teaching children the preconceived answers without teaching the process that leads to the answers in the first place. It is no surprise then that many children are struggling in schools, and that children in higher grades are found to have little or no problem solving techniques and additional problems with social interactions.
The missing link? The 3 Cs.
Instilling in children a love for learning and a process for making decisions and solving problems while working with others begins with encouraging in them a sense of creativity, curiosity and courtesy.
Creativity
Sparking creativity in children opens the door to learning in every developmental area. When children think creatively they look beyond what is in front of them to see what could be. They explore from many different angles and engage all of their senses. This creative exploration can lead to successful problem solving, a broader understanding of topics taught, and a sense of appreciation for the world they live in.
What Happens When Children Don’t Learn Creativity?
Without this basis of thinking creatively children are prone to merely acquire information – rather than have the skill to do something with this information. When children’s creativity is supported they are able to actively engage in the learning process. For example, it is more than learning there are numbers, but about learning what those numbers are capable of doing: How they interact, what they can represent, how they can be used to organize or represent objects and information. Activities that encourage new uses for everyday items, teach children to overcome their fear of making mistakes, teach them the value of patience and combine right and left brain activity, all strengthen a child’s ability to be creative, to use their imagination and to solve problems.
Curiosity
However, problem solving means more than being able to find lots of answers. This is where curiosity comes in. Creativity and curiosity are intrinsically linked. One leads to the other, and vice versa. We begin by trying something new (creativity) then we test it to see what happens (curiosity). But also, the opposite can occur, where we begin by looking why things happen in certain ways (curiosity) then use this information in a new way (creativity) to solve our problem. It is a give and take between the two that can lead to many exciting and new revelations and possibilities. They are the keys for many an inventor, engineer, or philosopher in making new discoveries, inventions and solutions. Children who are given the freedom to stretch these abilities and explore their capabilities within them to the fullest will find their play to have a richer, deeper meaning and a higher sense of accomplishment.
How to Support Your Child’s Curiosity
Parents can support their children’s natural ability to be curious, and to link this curiosity into creativity and problem solving, by providing opportunities for their child to explore possibilities through simple wonderment, or concrete experimentation. By exposing their child to the world around them through outings, books, and pretend play. And finally, by encouraging questions and showing their child how to search and find the answers. When we bring these factors into our homes, we give our children the opportunities to cultivate their natural sense of curiosity, to build on their creativity and to become a problem solver.
Courtesy
Creativity and curiosity go a long way towards building a basis for further learning for our children. However, there is one last piece of this foundation puzzle: Courtesy. We live in a social world, and as such the abilities to lead, be part of team, and be effective communicators of our ideas to others, are essential in our educational journey.
A Parent’s Role
A parent’s role as a model of courtesy, kindness and positive social interactions is more important than ever. Teaching courtesy to children is a process of modeling and encouraging four elements that support this behavior: dependability, kindness, honesty and respect. Parents can strengthen these attributes in their children simply by modeling the behavior and guiding their children towards building strong relationships with others.
Back to Basics
I ask every reader to spend a few moments thinking back to their own childhood. Do you remember raiding your Dad’s tools and scrap lumber to build a fort? Do you remember taking long hikes in the woods just hoping for an adventure? Do you remember just what family meant? It’s time to get back to teaching these basics before they disappear altogether, but in a better way. Teaching the 3Cs empowers parents to bring back the basics and rebuild our children’s future for the better. To give them a strong base to stand on: a desire to learn because learning is fun again, the ability to problem solve through creativity and curiosity, and a caring attitude as they reach for the sky.
About the Author
Patricia Dischler is the author of several books, including From
Babysitter to Business Owner and Because I Loved You. She speaks
nationally at early childhood and adoption conferences and is a
columnist for NAFCC’s the National Perspective and Adoption Today
Magazine. Patricia is a board member of the NAFCC, WFCC and the
Wisconsin Early Learning Coalition and was the recipient of the 2007
Wisconsin Governor’s Award for excellence in the field of child care.
Her latest book, Teaching the 3 Cs: Creativity, Curiosity & Courtesy
shares her activities and philosophies of teaching young children from
her 17 years of operating Patty Cake Preschool, a nationally
accredited program. To learn more, visit her website at
www.patriciadischler.com.
