“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try” – Dr. Seuss

As I was filing away my kids' work of the past two weeks, I was amazed at their creativity and talents.  I was also taken aback by an overwhelming feeling as the thought came to my mind that whatever I was teaching these children of mine was working in ways that I had never imagined.  Thinking of them individually, and reading and looking at their work also reminded me of a question I was asked a couple years ago by some friends.  We were discussing the importance of guiding our children toward a profession according to their talents and helping them develop those talents.  The idea was brought up that if you want them to be a good ballerina, or a baseball player, or an engineer, you have to start them young in teaching and developing that particular talent.  I agreed with them to some extent.  I couldn't agree with the idea that that was all we needed to pursue.  I felt life was too big to limit it to one interest.  I felt that reading (all different genres), writing, studying art, visiting countries of the world, learning the history of humankind, making music part of our life--and many more pursuits that constitute the study of humanity--were prerequisite to a fulfilled life.  Then I was asked the question of how did I think this study of humanities would help a ballerina win a competition, or an engineer, a doctor, or an accountant become the first in their class and find the best job.


This is a good question when one thinks in very practical terms.  Three of my children want to be doctors and one an engineer/pilot.  How am I helping them achieve their goals?  Well, my answer today is the same as it was two years ago.  It's paramount that we guide our children to think of their talents and interests, and then help them achieve related goals.  But I also think it's as important for them to develop a desire for learning all things and enjoying the world around us.  There are many benefits to this approach, but the two most comprehensive ones are (the first is the ideal answer and the second responds to the practical side of the matter) :

1. A well-rounded individual develops a love for the world and the things that surround us, a desire to serve and make it better, a humility toward others with profound skills and a confidence that we can do and be anything; and an appreciation and gratitude for the beautiful things of this life.  This makes an individual a better person.  Society is in much greater need of better people, than it is of better accountants.

2. I truly believe that someone who has made the study of the arts and humanities part of their lives will be blessed with creativity, imagination, understanding, and a desire to succeed in whatever area of life they decide to start a career.  A compassionate person will always be the better doctor; the engineer with the heart of an artist will always imagine the impossible; an accountant with a knowledge of the world and an understanding of different cultures will always have more foresight, and will definitely be more interesting.

In short, the study of the world around us in all its various aspects brings creativity and imagination to all we do, and as George Bernard Shaw once said, “you see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why not?’"  That's how I want my kids to think about life: Why not?

As I watch my children grow, and as I see their creative juices touch every aspect of our life, I'm convinced that this is the way to help them succeed in life.  As I look at their work, I feel that it isn't any particular thing I've taught them but the sum of them all.

Gillian's art style is not what I expected from a daughter of mine.  I tend to enjoy realism and impressionism, but she seems to be guided by a very surrealist theme.  Whether this is because of what she reads, studies, sees in museums, or simply due to our household's liberating motto of "Why not," I don't know.  One thing is for sure: her art is stunning and original.

Her writing totally captures me.  I love her poetic style, her flowing language, her wide vocabulary, and her fun approach to expressing her feelings, especially her sincerity.

Gillian is also very kind and thoughtful.  Elijah and I receive notes from her almost daily.  Some are silly and funny, some are loving and chivalrous, and some are thoughtful.

She wrote the following one morning around 3 a.m. after having helped Charlton to the bathroom.  She thought of thanking her dad for listening to her that day, so she wrote him a note.  At 3 in the morning!




Jefferson also has a love for learning and a desire to develop as many talents as possible. He loves art and he combines his talent for drawing with his knowledge and interests about airplanes, and anything with an engine.

Jefferson also enjoys playing music.  This past week, after his piano teacher gave him a Christmas music book to pick a Christmas piece for the end of the year recital, he played one song after another till he played them all. After a week of doing that, he had memorized most of them.  I'm having Christmas carols sung and played in my house even before Halloween.  That must be some kind of record.

James is still growing and finding his thing.  He is working hard in developing his motor skills better, but his imagination is taking off.  I love it that he draws characters and makes up stories about things he has just read about.

Babar the Elephant

 

No, David

Robinson Crusoe in his island

My favorite thing about James is his creative hide-outs.  He will make forts to read inside, go sit up in a tree, or lay blankets to listen to books-on-tape while drawing.  He doesn't mind being around people, but there are times when he just wants to be on his own and do his own things.

I can't wait to see when Charlton's creativity will come out.  And these kids haven't even started yet!  What joy~