Inculcating creativity in our daily life

Dewi Susanti Jakarta

Muhammad Zuhdi wrote an attractive article entitled Education and Creativity, published in The Jakarta Post on April 2. The article discussed the importance of creativity and suggested that it should be part of formal education, a message the author strongly agrees with.

However, the author thinks that change will take a long time and will take more than shifting the paradigm of the education system. This article discusses several reasons why nurturing creativity within an Indonesian context is a long and complex process, and thus needs to involve all stakeholders in education: society, communities, schools, teachers and parents alike.

To begin with, we should acknowledge the fact that some schools do develop creative thinking habits in their students, and that some teachers have independently attempted to do so. Often, however, the system is not supported by its human resources.

Most teachers are not equipped with a knowledge of factors that could encourage or discourage creativity, and they are not trained in teaching approaches that develop creativity. On the other hand, teachers who do have the knowledge and the training in fostering creativity are often not supported by the system. How could this happen?

Weiner (2000) states that freedom, democracy and tolerance encourage creative expression. Are these traits naturally embedded in our society? Giving opinions to those more senior in age or in position is often considered disrespectful. On the other hand, those who allow democracy to take place are often challenged with issues of discipline and boundaries. Within a society that is not quite conducive to creativity, how can we nurture it?

Creative development is influenced by both internal and external factors. Social and cultural values, the way we raise and educate children -- both through parenting as well as schooling -- and the school's as well as the home's physical and psychological environment all contribute to the attitude, personality, cognitive and psychological development of the child.

Given this context, the author would like to step back a little and ask the question: who is responsible for education? Is the government the only institution to carry this burden? Are schools the only place where a student's mind and attitude can be nurtured? Are teachers the only ones whom students can learn from?

The author would like to suggest that change can and needs to start outside the formal educational system. If Indonesian society is to foster creativity, then it needs to start from within its smallest nucleus, i.e. the family. Many parents may already see creativity as a positive trait, yet, how many truly believe in the urgency of nurturing creativity in their children?

Many parents would rather leave the "serious" task of children's education to the "authorities" -- in this case formal education institutions and teachers, for reasons of feeling inadequate or worse, for not having the time.

Parents, and those who spend time with students, however, are more likely to influence their education and the development of their attitude. The time we spend with students outside of school also comes in a more "natural" learning context -- where what they learn is more relevant to and applicable in daily life.

Although the development of creative thinking and attitude should ideally be emphasized in the formal education system in Indonesia, active participation from parents and other parties close to students is extremely important.

Meanwhile, from within the formal education system, the incorporation of creative thinking habits and skills needs to start with the belief in their importance and inclusion into the curricula, reinforced by training teachers in developing creativity. Parents and teachers need to be informed about ways to ignite the creative spirits of children, and need to become good role models. By making creativity part of our daily lives we stand in a better position to bring about change, including to the national education system.

The author is the creative director of Art Explore, an art studio for the young, and lecturer at Universitas Indonesia and Universitas Pelita Harapan. She can be reached at: dewi@studio213b.com.