Creative Confidence Builds a Strong Future

In an education world that is increasingly driven by data and test scores, I found an article that argues for creative confidence a refreshing read. Whittle argues quite effectively that "all students are born naturally creative, full of curiosities and questions. The difference between those who continue to be creative in careers as leading scientists, inventors, historical figures, artists, and philosophers and those that do not is all in how they are nurtured. The more children are encouraged to keep asking those questions and pursuing their curiosities, the more likely that creative spark will remain – and there couldn’t be anything more important in today’s increasingly competitive knowledge-based economy."

Most educators would certainly agree. They are, however, in that awkward place where they are evaluated by test scores and urged to teach toward these scores. Equally strong, though, the mandate to prepare our students to function in this 21st century world of ours. Seemingly, librarians are in a unique position to foster creative confidence. We encourage free reading, foster research skills, create maker spaces. We absolutely have ample opportunity to utilize the 7 suggestions for instilling creative confidence. We must pay careful attention to our students when they are in our space. We can allow them to be messy and create and provide the tools to do so. I tell my kids we are a one stop shopping spot for their project needs. We are happy to scrub glue residue off our tables. We can seek ways to offer positive feedback without the pressure of having to follow up with a grade. We can suggest improvements freely. I have teachers who are great at keeping me in the loop on their students' upcoming assignments offering me the opportunity to encourage them to dive in head first. Frankly, with some creative planning we can provide the artist date as suggested in the article. What are you doing in your library to foster creative confidence?