Table of Contents
Dedication iii
Introduction vii
Chapter 1 Creativity Is for Everyone! 1
Enhancing Our Understanding of Creativity Enhances Our Own Creativity 3
The Four P's of Creativity 4
The Four C Model of Creativity 4
Creative Kids We'd Like to Introduce to You 7
Neurodivergence-Sparks of the Creative Mind and Spirit 11
Boosting Creative Potential 14
Chapter 2 Creativity in Early and Middle Childhood: When Play Is Work and Work Is Play 17
When a Child's Work Is a Child's Play 19
Wired for Play, Imagination, and Creativity 19
Play and Creative Exploration in Young Children 20
Play as Process and Product 22
Creativity Killers: When Play Is No Longer Fun 23
True Stories of Creative Children as Artists and Scientists 25
Boosting Creative Potential Throughout Childhood 27
Chapter 3 Personality and Creative Potential 29
Open-Mindedness 30
Imagination 31
Need for Privacy and Alone Time 32
Daydreaming 33
Persistence 33
High Energy 34
Independence 35
Risk Taking 36
Curiosity 38
Sense of Humor/Playfulness 38
Attraction to Complexity 39
Artistic Interests and Aesthetic Perspectives 40
Sensitivity and Intensity 41
Perception 42
Awareness of Creativity 44
Boosting Creative Potential-For Ourselves and Our Children 45
Chapter 4 The Creative Teen Or "Excuse Me, Have You Seen My Child?" 47
Brain Development and Adolescence 48
Devon 50
Sabrina 51
Dualities within the Creative Brain 52
Asynchrony 57
Boosting Creative Potential During the Teenage Years 58
Chapter 5 Creative Activities for Boosting Creative Thinking 61
Imagination 64
Awareness 66
Curiosity 69
Brainstorming 71
Fluency 73
Flexibility 74
Elaboration 75
Writing 76
Doodling, Drawing, Painting… 77
Creative Dramatics 80
SCAMPER 83
Children's "Toolbox" 84
Boosting Creative Potential with Games and Playful Activities 86
Chapter 6 Creative Projects for the Whole Family 87
Family Garden 88
Garage Sales 90
Family Adventures 92
Camping-Home and Away 93
Holiday and Birthday Celebrations 94
Family Business, e.g., Lemonade Stand 95
Family Meals 96
Boosting Your Family's Natural Creativity 97
Chapter 7 Creative Spaces-Welcome Home! 99
Creative Space: A Playful Family Environment 100
Creative Zones 102
Attitude 104
Time Out 104
Time In 105
Right in Your Own Backyard-Nature and the Creative Spirit 106
Local Fieldtrips 109
Boosting Creative Potential-Creative Environments, At Home and Away 111
Chapter 8 Creative Projects and Technology-A World of Possibilities in the Palm of Your Hand 113
Using Technology for Creative Production 114
Making Movies 118
Brainstorming 119
Interviews 119
Lights, Camera, Action 120
Filming 120
Editing 121
The Story of Bailey 121
Grace and Anna 122
Grandpas Stories 123
As Far as Your Imagination Can Take You 124
JTs Recommendations for Video Apps 125
Boosting Creativity with Technology 126
Chapter 9 Parenting Creative Children and Teens 127
The Nurturing Parent 129
Trust 130
Respect 131
Support 132
Enjoyment 133
Protection 133
Role Modeling 134
More Suggestions 134
Understand Your Mindset 136
Offer Structured Flexibility 137
Give Choices Instead of Commands 139
Provide Consistent Boundaries 141
Use Natural and Logical Consequences versus Punishment 143
Pick Your Battles 145
Focus on Your Child's Strengths 145
Boosting-and Nurturing-Creative Potential 146
Chapter 10 Creative Ways to Build Executive Functions 149
Brain Development and Executive Functioning 150
Eleven Essential Executive Planning Skills 153
Goodness of Fit 156
Making a Plan 157
Enhance Working Memory, The Gateway to Attention 158
Teach Planning and Prioritizing 160
Foster Organization 161
Encourage Time Management 162
Cultivate Metacognition 163
Build Response Inhibition 164
Improve Emotional Self-Control 166
Strengthen Sustained Attention 167
Teach Task Initiation 168
Support Goal-Directed Persistence 169
Encourage Flexibility 170
Parenting Skills for Supporting Your Child's Continued Growth and Development 172
Troubleshooting 173
"Wide interests? Creative? Distractible? Does my child have ADHD?" 174
Boosting Creative Potential and Staying Organized-or "How to Be Creative and Still Get Things Done!" 174
Chapter 11 Essential 21st-Centuiy Skills: Preparing Your Child for the Future 177
The Seven Survival Skills 178
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving 179
Collaboration across Networks and Leading by Influence 180
Initiative and Entrepreneurship 181
Agility and Adaptability 182
Effective Oral and Written Communication 183
Accessing and Analyzing Information 183
Curiosity and Imagination 184
Learning for Life in Our Times 184
Working Creatively with Others 186
Boosting Creative Potential-Now and Into the Future 187
References and Resources 189
About the Authors 195
