There are two things I am truly passionate about: children and creativity. I believe that everyone is born creative, and that somewhere along the way, we lose our ability to think creatively when we enter formal schooling. I believe that it is not only simple to empower children to use their imagination, but it is also imperative. Young children are brimming with ideas all the time. As parents, teachers, and caregivers, we must continue to encourage creative exploration throughout early childhood all the way through high school. So, what children really need during these formative years is space and time to explore their original ideas. They need to take creative risks daily so that they grow up feeling comfortable with mistakes, finding multiple solutions to a problem, and never losing touch with the creative child inside of them. This is how we will raise creative thinkers who see other points of view, take risks, envision solutions, embrace diversity, value art and aesthetics, and innovate.
Petra Statement
