Inculcating
\ncreativity in
\nour daily life<\/p>\n
Dewi Susanti
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Muhammad Zuhdi wrote an attractive article entitled Education
\nand Creativity, published in The Jakarta Post on April 2. The
\narticle discussed the importance of creativity and suggested that
\nit should be part of formal education, a message the author
\nstrongly agrees with.<\/p>\n
However, the author thinks that change will take a long time
\nand will take more than shifting the paradigm of the education
\nsystem. This article discusses several reasons why nurturing
\ncreativity within an Indonesian context is a long and complex
\nprocess, and thus needs to involve all stakeholders in education:
\nsociety, communities, schools, teachers and parents alike.<\/p>\n
To begin with, we should acknowledge the fact that some
\nschools do develop creative thinking habits in their students,
\nand that some teachers have independently attempted to do so.
\nOften, however, the system is not supported by its human
\nresources.<\/p>\n
Most teachers are not equipped with a knowledge of factors
\nthat could encourage or discourage creativity, and they are not
\ntrained in teaching approaches that develop creativity. On the
\nother hand, teachers who do have the knowledge and the training
\nin fostering creativity are often not supported by the system.
\nHow could this happen?<\/p>\n
Weiner (2000) states that freedom, democracy and tolerance
\nencourage creative expression. Are these traits naturally
\nembedded in our society? Giving opinions to those more senior in
\nage or in position is often considered disrespectful. On the
\nother hand, those who allow democracy to take place are often
\nchallenged with issues of discipline and boundaries. Within a
\nsociety that is not quite conducive to creativity, how can we
\nnurture it?<\/p>\n
Creative development is influenced by both internal and
\nexternal factors. Social and cultural values, the way we raise
\nand educate children -- both through parenting as well as
\nschooling -- and the school's as well as the home's physical and
\npsychological environment all contribute to the attitude,
\npersonality, cognitive and psychological development of the
\nchild.<\/p>\n
Given this context, the author would like to step back a
\nlittle and ask the question: who is responsible for education? Is
\nthe government the only institution to carry this burden? Are
\nschools the only place where a student's mind and attitude can be
\nnurtured? Are teachers the only ones whom students can learn
\nfrom?<\/p>\n
The author would like to suggest that change can and needs to
\nstart outside the formal educational system. If Indonesian
\nsociety is to foster creativity, then it needs to start from
\nwithin its smallest nucleus, i.e. the family. Many parents may
\nalready see creativity as a positive trait, yet, how many truly
\nbelieve in the urgency of nurturing creativity in their children?<\/p>\n
Many parents would rather leave the \"serious\" task of
\nchildren's education to the \"authorities\" -- in this case formal
\neducation institutions and teachers, for reasons of feeling
\ninadequate or worse, for not having the time.<\/p>\n
Parents, and those who spend time with students, however, are
\nmore likely to influence their education and the development of
\ntheir attitude. The time we spend with students outside of school
\nalso comes in a more \"natural\" learning context -- where what
\nthey learn is more relevant to and applicable in daily life.<\/p>\n
Although the development of creative thinking and attitude
\nshould ideally be emphasized in the formal education system in
\nIndonesia, active participation from parents and other parties
\nclose to students is extremely important.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, from within the formal education system, the
\nincorporation of creative thinking habits and skills needs to
\nstart with the belief in their importance and inclusion into the
\ncurricula, reinforced by training teachers in developing
\ncreativity. Parents and teachers need to be informed about ways
\nto ignite the creative spirits of children, and need to become
\ngood role models. By making creativity part of our daily lives we
\nstand in a better position to bring about change, including to
\nthe national education system.<\/p>\n
The author is the creative director of Art Explore, an art
\nstudio for the young, and lecturer at Universitas Indonesia and
\nUniversitas Pelita Harapan. She can be reached at:
\ndewi@studio213b.com.<\/p>",
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