Years ago at one of our many used-bookstore-quests I bought a book called Daughters of America or Women of the Century by Phebe A. Hanaford. Published in 1882, it celebrates the accomplishments of women in the first century of the United States, from preachers to scientists, and everything in between. It saddens me how few … Continue reading
April is coming, with time for silliness. Somehow the total foolishness of April Fools’ Day feels exactly right after the long dark winter. You might want to check last year’s April Family Fun post for links to silly experiments, amazing fake foods, or clown make up. Or maybe this year you’d like to write some … Continue reading
What does creativity look like? What makes individuals creative? What might hold them back? Interestingly, your answers to those questions may be different, depending on where you live. In one recent study* researchers surveyed teachers in China, Germany, and Japan to find out how they envisioned creativity, whether they thought creativity could be exhibited in … Continue reading
It has been quite a winter in Michigan, and across the central and eastern United States. Newscasters are having fun describing the many ways in which this winter has been exceptional. This, of course, brings to mind the question, “How do you measure winter?” I know it is an odd question to consider at the … Continue reading
I’m lucky enough to live within an easy drive of the Detroit Institute of Arts. When my husband and I have a (rare) free afternoon, we love to visit its galleries. Today we visited a one-piece exhibition called Balance of Power: Throne for an African Prince. The throne is a masterpiece in wood, carved around … Continue reading
Creativity and problem solving can be found in the most unexpected places. Have you ever looked at the nutrition labels on cereal or ketchup and thought about their design? I hadn’t, until I listed to an interview with Burkey Belser, the man who designed them. Because new nutrition labels are in the works, he is … Continue reading
As Women’s History Month, March is the perfect time to think about girls. At the website A Mighty Girl, they do that all year long. Now, A Mighty Girl is clearly a commercial website—and don’t do commercial endorsements here—but if you want to find resources to teach young girls about creative women past and present, … Continue reading
For me, March is a month for cooking. Why? It started when I taught first grade in rural upstate New York, where the winters are cold and seemingly endless. March was the most depressing month of the year. It sounded as if the weather should be getting warmer, but no such luck. March was always … Continue reading
Sometimes something comes across your desk and just makes your whole day. That happened to me this week when I first read about 4-year old “Mayhem,” who makes paper dresses with her mom. Fueled with paper, tape, and creativity, the duo makes dresses inspired by everything from runway favorites to a shark at the acquarium. … Continue reading
Ever wonder how creative people come up with their ideas? Me, too. So many times I look at a new invention, artistic endeavor, or form of literature and think, “How did they ever imagine doing that in the first place?” That is why I am fascinated with problem finding—the processes by which individuals choose the … Continue reading
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