Date: Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Ken Robinson, author of The Element, articulating the idea that traditional schools are killing creativity, comments on what enhances or encourages a child's natural creativity. His thinking is applied in this quick piece addressing the question of whether Montessori stifles creativity. Ken Robinson's answer would likely be "Absolutely not." Creativity is not necessarily fostered through dress-up and pretend kitchens or fire stations. Creativity requires a willingness to "take risk" and "be wrong." See this very entertaining short speech of his. Montessori fosters this confidence in children. Creativity also requires the mastery of a set of basic skills with which to work on a chosen medium. Again, Montessori emphasizes mastery of such skills at a child's own exploratory pace across many "disciplines."
