They’re called originals, creatives, and innovators. They drive change, stand out and speak up. They’re the ones with new ideas, with wide-eyed Aha moments at 02:00am.
Who are they?
Business psychologist Adam Grant talks about the value of creative thinkers in our modern world with almost grudging admiration. He talks of their contribution to innovation with their original and non-linear solutions, and the value of these thinkers both in society and in business
Many people consider creative thinking as something you’re born with, much like being left or right-handed, or having red hair. However, quite the opposite is true.
Like anything, creative thinking can be taught.
Consider how a young child learns: He turns things around, tastes them, throws them, and fits pieces together. He can create a space ship or a pony out of a cardboard box, because in his incredible mind – it could be anything.
Once children enter the modern school system however, things change. They are given information, and not lessons. They are given solutions to problems and taught how to practise solving them. So many little minds rebel in the classroom because inherently, this is not how they choose to learn. Giving a child information may teach them that piece of information, but not necessarily how to implement it, what it means, or how it can be used.
On the other hand, a Waldorf education actively nurtures the developing creative minds of children, encouraging them to stretch as far as they can into new and unexplored territories. It teaches them to ask why, and to unpack information to fully grasp it.
For example, a science lesson may involve combining two compounds in a particular way, and noting the result. Conventional education systems often give the process, the result, and the reason for the experiment. However, a Waldorf science teacher may only offer the smallest piece of information – and give no solution or reason for the experiment. The science student will perform the experiment, and note down the result, after which they may spend a few days considering what this means, what exactly happened, and why.
This journey of discovery allows the child to filter through the information that they have and draw conclusions – encouraging a creative thought process. Thus innovation is born, with new ideas and thought patterns bursting through and making themselves known.
Are they likely to remember this information that they’ve discovered themselves? What do you think? How do you imagine this process could help them in their adult lives?
Many people have questions regarding the teaching methods and educational processes at Roseway Waldorf. We would love to answer your questions in full. Please feel free to contact us.
- Embracing Art in a Waldorf School - 13/04/2017
- Unfolding Creative Concepts in Art and Science - 12/04/2017
- Understanding Waldorf – Why Choose A Steiner School? - 20/03/2017
