Child of Wonder

Table of Contents

Contents

Acknowledgments..………………………………………………………………xiii

What I Have Learned: A Letter to the Reader.…………………….…………….xv

Flowers Are Red by Harry Chapin…………………………………………..….xvii

Foreword by Melissa Hart..………………………………………………….......xxi

Part 1. To Nurture the Creative Child
The Mindset and Environment for Creativity and Thinking

1 Explore Your Wonder…………..………………...…………………….........3
Understanding and Encouraging Creativity

2 Let the Flower Bloom.…………………………………………………....…13
Allowing Children to Arrive at Their Own Pace

3 Breaking Ground………………………………………………….....…...…18
Setting up and Organizing the Creative Environment

4 The Art of Questioning………………………………………………..…....36
Asking the Right Question at the Right Time

5 A Family Think Tank………………………………..………………...…....42
A Place for Creative Thinking

6 Yes Days……………………………………………………………..……...50
Creative Days in a World Full of No’s and Responsibilities

Part 2. Ways of Play
Encouraging Imagination, Curiosity, and Confidence Through Play, Experimentation, and Discovery

7 Wonder Tools……………………………………………………….…..…...57
Playthings and Toys that Build Creativity

8 Wonder World……...………………………………………………….……72
Creativity Outdoors

9 To Pirate Ships and Castle Moats…………………………………….......…83
Creating a Costume Box that Takes You Places

10 Hold My Hand!.............................................................................................. 89
Cooperative Play and Games as an Opportunity for Creativity

11 Give Me Space………………………………………………………......….97
Quiet Places and Special Spots that Nurture Creativity

12 Squish! Splat! Smoosh!.................................................................................108
Making Messes and Getting Dirty

13 Thinking Outside the Recipe………………………………………….…...117
Using Cooking to Develop Creativity

Part 3: Explore More
Developing Creativity and Thinking Skills Through
the Arts, Sciences, Stories, and Media

14 Art Smart……………………………………………………………….…131
Developing Creativity through Visual Arts

15 Jump, Jiggle, Jive…………………….……………………….…………..142
Creative Explorations in Movement

16 Music in Me, Me, Mee!...............................................................................153
Exploring the Creative Potential of Music

17 Everyday Math Magic……………………………..……………………...164
Using Math to Develop Creative Thinking

18 Lightbulb Moments……………………………………………………….177
Science to Foster Creativity

19 Tell Me a Story…………………………………………………………....185
Creative Storytelling

20 Words My Way…………………………………………………………...195
Creative Writing

21 Media in Motion…………………………………………………………..208
Using (and Not Using) Media for Creativity

Part 4: The Ongoing Journey
Celebrating the Creative Spirit

22 The Other Side of the Mountain……..……………………………………219
Celebrating Creativity

23 My Treasure House…………….………………….…………...…….…...223
Displaying Creativity

24 Reach for the Moon, Catch the Stars………………………………….….232
Appreciating Our Creations

Afterword………………………………………………………………………..239

Bibliography……………………………………….…………………..........…. 241
Permissions/Photo Credits...………………………………………………….…247

Index…………………………………………………………………………….249