In this episode of Fueling Creativity, Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood speak with Tamara Doleman, head of the Visual Art department at Ashbury College in Canada. Tamara has a Master’s degree in creativity and has coached individuals, run workshops, written articles, and presented a TEDX talk on the topic of creativity in schools. She’s passionate about exploring the intersection between art, creativity, wellbeing, and the growth and healing potential it can provide our communities and schools.

Listen in to learn about Tamara’s deliberate approach to teaching creativity in the art classroom and the difference between teaching art and teaching creativity. She details the many benefits of teaching for creativity in schools, especially now during the pandemic, along with how to facilitate a long-term program for creativity in your classroom.

Tamara’s Tips for Teachers and Parents:

1. Read up on creativity, but also read up on what skills and characteristics different artists have. Were they risk-takers, detail-oriented, etc?

2. Don’t focus on and criticize the outcome of a creative experience. Focus on the creative process and how each student differs from one another.

3. Acknowledging how you talk to yourself during your creative process is an opportunity for learning in a creative space. Encourage your kids to work through frustration, getting stuck, and their inner critic.

4. Engagement and connection will increase once you focus on creativity in the classroom.

5. Set up expectations and awareness around behaviors and how our actions impact others.

6. Foster a space where kids feel comfortable being playful and coming up with crazy ideas.