Brushstrokes of Brilliance: Cultivating Van Gogh’s Creative Spirit in Young Minds
When you think of Vincent Van Gogh, you think of creative thinking. This Dutch painter is well known for his vivid and imaginative artworks that challenged the conventional art world. However, creativity is not only reserved for the likes of Van Gogh. It is a vital soft skill that can benefit everyone, especially children. In this blog post, we will discuss how creativity is a crucial element in the development of children and how activity-based learning can foster it.
Creativity, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is the ability to come up with unique and original ideas or solutions to problems. It is a soft skill that requires thinking outside the box, and it can be observed in everyday life. For example, a child who builds a sandcastle or creates a drawing is demonstrating their creativity. Parents can identify creativity in their children by paying attention to their hobbies, interests, and how they approach tasks. A child who enjoys exploring different ways to complete a puzzle or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen is displaying their creative skills.
Vincent van Gogh is one of history’s most famous creative minds. He painted over 2,000 pieces during his lifetime, and his work continues to inspire artists and creative thinkers today. Although Van Gogh’s creative genius was not without challenges, his approach to life and work embodies the soft skill of creativity. His willingness to experiment with new techniques and explore different perspectives allowed him to produce works that were ahead of their time.
Activity-based learning is an excellent way to promote the development of creativity in children (Oncu, 2016). It involves engaging children in hands-on activities that encourage exploration and experimentation. For example, a child can be given a blank canvas and asked to create a painting using their imagination. This simple approach allows the child to express their ideas in a unique and original way, fostering their creativity. It also promotes problem-solving skills as the child figures out how to use the available resources to achieve their goal.
Scientific research has shown that creativity is an essential element in the development of children (Barbot, 2019). Studies have found that children who engage in creative activities have better cognitive abilities and are more likely to succeed in their academic pursuits (Akpur, 2020).
In conclusion, creativity is the ability to come up with unique and original ideas or solutions to problems. Vincent Van Gogh is an excellent example of a well-known figure who exhibited creativity in his life and work. Activity-based learning is an effective way to promote the development of creativity in children. Research has shown that creativity is essential for cognitive development and can have a positive impact on mental health.
At Morphoses, we believe in fostering soft skills like creativity through our innovative approach to learning. Join us in promoting creativity in the next generation of innovators & problem-solvers.
References
Akpur, U. (2020) Critical, Reflective, Creative Thinking and Their Reflections on Academic Achievement, Science Direct . Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100683 (Accessed: 16 August 2023).
Barbot, B. (2019) Measuring creativity change and development. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 13(2), 203–210. American Psychological Association. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000232 (Accessed: 16 August 2023).
Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus. (n.d.). Available at: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/creativity (Accessed: 16 August 2023).
Oncu, E. C. (2016). Improved Creative Thinkers in a Class: A Model of Activity Based Tasks for Improving University Students’ Creative Thinking Abilities. Available at: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1098217 (Accessed: 16 August 2023).