TAKING THE ‘ART’ OUT OF CREATIVITY

By a Mom in the Nonprofit Studies Program, Rhode Island College
Providence, Rhode Island

To many people the word "creativity" evokes images of artists sculpting or drawing a work of art; of a composer mastering a musical composition; a designer fashioning a new line of clothing; or an architect designing a state-of-the-art engineering feat. To me, creativity means "thinking outside the box" and trying a unique approach to something. It may be a manager who finds unique ways to motivate his or her employees to maximize their potential; a volunteer who unlocks fundraising potentials; or a person who views the same problem so many others view, but has a clever way of fixing it.

The need for creativity in my life became a priority when I learned years ago that my son had ADHD. It was apparent from an early age that he wasn’t capable of learning the way most children do. He couldn’t pay attention for long, was easily distracted, and lost interest quickly. While traditional educational standards were not effective for him, he had an innate talent for hands-on skills and was repairing motorcycles by the age of 12, performing basic carpentry tasks, and mastering computers. While most of his teachers insisted that he sit still and pay attention just like the other students, some of the teachers were able to alter their styles to fit his needs. They showed creativity in every essence of the word. They would teach him math skills by referencing football plays and fishing examples (two topics that he enjoys). They used hands-on approaches to teach him science; and stories to relate to history rather than facts and figures.

The approach these teachers took has helped my teenage son to become successful in life and feel empowered in his learning. These select teachers were able to put aside their traditional practices and develop creative, new ways to prove their own abilities and to encourage and educate their students, despite their different learning styles.

At home I experimented with creative ideas to keep my son on task, whether it was finishing his homework, completing a chore, or remembering to do something.

My "call to action" is to continue looking for creative solutions in my daily life, whether it’s empowering my son, initiating a new fundraising opportunity, or redecorating my home for a change of scenery.