Frequently Asked Questions

Tell me a little bit about your book.

The book is called Child of Wonder: Nurturing Creative and Naturally Curious Children.  It is a guidebook to develop creativity, personal expression, critical thinking skills, and curiosity in children.

What age range of children does this book address?

Child of Wonder is written for parents and educators of children early-elementary aged and under. It will also be enjoyed by grandparents, childcare providers, and anyone else who comes in contact with children on a regular basis.

Why would this book be especially helpful for grandparents?

Actually, Child of Wonder will be helpful to all people who enjoy the children in their lives, but grandparents find it especially helpful because in the last few decades there have been new studies, theories, and discoveries about the brain and how children learn. This is an easy-to-read, highly accessible guide that explains those new discoveries in a friendly way.

Are the suggested activities then also friendly to working parents?

Yes. The activities are wonderful for working parents as well as stay-at-home parents. As Melissa Hart says in the Foreword: “Clear directions, supported by theoretical discussions, allow readers a range of options. Adults pressed for time can implement ideas quickly and easily, incorporating teachable moments into everyday activities. Alternatively, parents and teachers with more time to devote to a child’s education can delve deeply into the book, studying the pedagogy that informs each chapter, and using the activities as a jumping-off point to design entire creative curriculums.”

What is your professional background related to the writing of Child of Wonder?

For nearly twenty years, I have had varied professional experiences that have lead me to writing this book and being an education consultant focusing on creativity building.  I have taught everything from preschool to university level.  I am a graduate of Pepperdine University with a Master of Arts in Education, with an emphasis in Instructional Technology.  Thus, I began my career in Malibu, California. I have taught in small private schools and large urban public schools.  After teaching awhile in the United States, my husband and I moved overseas and taught in International and Embassy schools abroad.  Most recently, I worked as adjunct faculty at the University of Oregon where I was supervising student teachers in the College of Education.  In the course of my career, I have found so much joy in leading workshops for fellow educators. So here I am!

Where did you get the idea to write this book?

Originally, the idea came from my experiences teaching in an urban school in Los Angeles in the early 1990’s.  I was hyper aware of my students need to develop their critical thinking skills and have opportunity to positively express themselves.  I eventually went on to teach in International and Embassy schools throughout Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, and saw the same universal need for learning to think and wonder and love learning! But ultimately, having a child of mine own was the catalyst for putting all those ideas down on paper and into the form you see now as Child of Wonder.

Will this book help my child score higher on standardized tests?

Technically, the book is written for parents and educators with children and students younger than those required to take standardized tests (third grade is usually the first year students take the tests).  But, yes, the book does provide ideas, activities, and the foundation for developing a mindset for a solid base of the skills that do help children succeed in school as well in other areas of life.

Does stressing creativity take away from time spent on developing more academic skills?

No, not at all.  In fact, giving opportunity for children to develop creativity adds to their academic prowess.  There’s a common misconception that if a child (or adult, for that matter) is doing something that is fun, or fulfills them in some other way that they are then not doing something that is worthwhile or “academic”.  Fortunately, that is not the case at all and creative thinking will only boost academic skills.

Why is creativity and curiosity something we want to encourage in children?

Creativity and naturally curiosity is the ability to want to learn, to want to express oneself, to be able to solve problems, and even ultimately to change culture. That said, it is also something that is often “lost” between childhood and adulthood, and many adults find themselves in a place where they are trying to recover their creative sides.  The trick is to help children hold onto that sense of wonder and learn to develop their critical eye towards the world.  When they can do that they become the Leonard di Vincis, the Einsteins, and the Marie Curies of the world.

Are you suggesting that creative people are an elite group of people?

Oh no. Creativity is something very special in that it does not discriminate.  It is available to all people.  That is what is so wonderful about it.  We all have it in us to be able to think differently and critically, and solve problems effectively. By stimulating thought, honoring the creative process, and offering ways of unique expression we can give this gift of wonder to our children, no matter what their background or situation.

Don’t schools nurture creativity?

As a teacher myself, I know that schools are filled with professionals who love children, want the best for them, and give everything they have to nurture the whole child.  Unfortunately, the reality is that with class sizes the way they are, budgets so tight, and all of the various other things that become a priority for schools, creativity takes a backseat. Across the country, PE, Art, Music, Theatre, and various other enrichment programs are being cancelled for a variety of reasons.  So now, if parents want creativity nurtured they can’t just rely on the schools to do so.

Parents and teachers want to do what is best for children.  What do you think is the biggest mistake they make that impedes their children from developing creatively?

I think there are a few.  The top on my list would be overusing praise.  When we always tell children how good we think they are, they move from being intrinsically motivated to being motivated by our feelings.  Children should be able to think, learn, and wonder without being worried about whether or not someone else feels they have done a “good job”.  Child of Wonder offers many ways for parents to alter the overuse of praise.

And the other mistake?

As parents we often put words in our children’s mouths.  If you go to any playground you are likely to hear a parent say “Oh did you make me a cake?” when a child brings them a pile of sand with some sticks poking out of it.  It may have been a cake, but it may have been something entirely different.  The moment we tell children what we expect from them, we can sometimes inhibit their thinking from continuing in the way that would be unique to them.  If we can move towards asking questions of our children in more open-ended ways, we will nurture their thinking processes.  There is an entire chapter devoted to the asking of questions in Child of Wonder.

I have a five year old.  Can you give me ideas for things I can do with him? 

Perhaps the first thing you want to do is understand his needs and the unique way he learns best and expresses himself.  In Child of Wonder, I provide a quiz of sorts that can help you as a parent identify your child’s unique learning styles as well as a Multiple Intelligence checklist. Once you understand your child’s unique intelligences as well as needs, you can then better understand how to incorporate some of the many suggestions in the book into your environment.

So what are some quick ways parents can encourage creative thinking?

The first would be to understand the child’s needs. From there, parents can look at the environment in which their children are spending time. Are the things for children to create with easy to find and access? Do your children have many opportunities for free play? Can children remove themselves and have quiet moments by themselves? Can they make messes?  Are they surrounded by stories?  The more we can incorporate a wide variety of activities, the more we will nurture creative, confident thinkers!

Are you planning to write any other books?

Yes.  Child of Wonder is the first book in a series called The Wonder Collection.  I am currently working on the second book in the collection. It is called Thinking Outside the Recipe and is a book for families to explore experimental cooking together.  I also have plans for books about traveling with children and civic education, both in The Wonder Collection.

Do you have a way for people to contact you?

Yes.  I can be contacted through my website, www.gingercarlson.com. 

Are there other resources on your website?

Yes. I write a regular free newsletter, called Wonderwise, that readers can sign up for through the site.  There are also creativity-building tips on the site as well as my blog called The Wondershop and information about workshops I lead for parents and educators.