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Think Like a Kid
September 2, 2010
Longing, felt fully, carries us to belonging.
-Tara Brach, Psychologist

It's not every day that I get to cite an item from my home town of Fargo, but today is one of those days:

Researchers Darya Zabelina and Michael Robinson of North Dakota State University (in Fargo), in an article in Psychology Today (August 2010) advocate applying a "childlike mind-set to our daily lives" in order to boost our creativity.  Zabelina explained... "It's about giving yourself permission to explore and free time to play.  It would not just increase your creativity — it would also motivate you to create." 

Robinson suggested these ways to boost creativity:

  • View yourself in a more light-hearted fashion, perhaps by thinking of your odd (but not ego-threatening) quirks.
  • Adults develop habits that narrow the range of what they think is possible.  Do something spontaneous, preferably every day.
  • Grownups treat errands as problems to be solved in a logical manner.  Appreciate tasks as opportunities for exploration, not boring duties.
  • Being present and living in the moment gives you the opportunity to appreciate fun when it occurs.
  • Free time is free time.  Don't fill every moment with chores.





Intellectual Emergencies: Some Reflections on Mothering and Teaching is a special contribution to the field by Lilian Katz.  She has spent many years conducting workshops for teachers, parents, and students all over the world.  During those workshops, she often refers to her son Stephen, and what she has termed the "intellectual emergencies" she experienced during the years he was growing up.  Her responses to these "emergencies," the moments when he analyzed her actions and challenged her decisions as a parent and a teacher, are presented in this insightful, witty book.

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Comments (2)

Displaying All 2 Comments
Nirmal Kumar Ghosh · September 02, 2010
Shishu Vikash Kendra
Kolkata, West Bengal, India


Those who cannot play with the child , cannot teach the child . Its true that
the person who wants to meet the child , should know how to create rapport
with the child through play .

Sue Baldwin · September 02, 2010
INSIGHTS TRAINING & CONSULTING
Stillwater, MN, United States


The whole concept of teachers and directors playing more is a valid concept. Nothing worse than children having to be subjected to crabby adults.
This article follows the premis of THE PALYFUL ADULT by Sue Baldwin which offers over 500 ideas for adults to be more playful.
Thanks for focusing on the importance of adults thinking like a kid!



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