The Art of Encouraging Creativity in Kids with Teacher & Artist Simon Adams

What if creativity wasn’t about perfection, but about making the thing, a thing —today? Dr. Kiyah Duffey and middle school art teacher (and damn good artist!) Simon Adams dig into Big-C vs little-c creativity, showing how practice, constraints, and the “magical yet” turn “I can’t” into “I can’t… yet.” They tackle fear of failure (especially in middle schoolers), share how to praise specifics instead of fluff, and explain why screens can act like junk food—filling boredom without feeding the mind. Because Creativity isn’t a talent, bestowed upon precious few of us. It’s a trainable muscle that we all have, and that we can all apply. Let’s learn how!

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** Key Takeaways **

• Creativity is a muscle that needs to be exercised.
• Big C creativity refers to traditional artistic expressions, while little c creativity is everyday problem-solving.
• Encouraging a growth mindset helps children embrace challenges.
• Practice makes progress, not perfection.
• Fear of failure can paralyze creativity, especially in adolescents.
• Positive reinforcement is crucial in nurturing creativity in students.
• The zone of proximal development is where growth happens.
• Modeling creativity for children is essential for their development.
• Creativity can manifest in various forms, not just the arts.
• Daily creative practices can help maintain a growth mindset.
• Limiting screen time can enhance children's creativity, because it often results in boredom (which is essential for creative thinking.)
• Creative acts can help reduce stress in children.
• Engaging in creative activities can slow cortisol production.
• It's important to recognize what excites and interests children.
• Creativity can manifest in various forms, not just traditional art.

** Chapters **

00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties

01:06 Pop Culture References and Personal Connections

01:13 Exploring Creativity: Big C vs. Little C

03:31 The Importance of Practice in Creativity

08:31 Fostering Creativity in Middle Schoolers

12:39 Navigating the Fear of Failure

16:52 The Rise of Anxiety in Young People

17:49 Navigating Emotional Resilience

18:49 The Role of Creativity in Education

20:23 Practicing Creativity and Overcoming Self-Doubt

23:20 The Importance of Daily Creative Habits

25:18 Modeling Creativity for Children

28:56 The Impact of Screens on Creativity

33:03 Managing Stress and Anxiety in Kids

38:44 Exploring Creative Outlets for Children

39:48 Embracing Curiosity in Parenting

42:19 The Power of Online Learning

44:19 Understanding the Reality of Creativity

47:09 The Importance of Just Starting

** About **

Simon Adams has been drawing forever and makes every kind of art. For the past several years he has been living the dream inspiring middle schoolers to embrace their inner artist. In his free time, he can also be found creating illustrations for fantasy and science fiction role-playing games, working for companies like Gygax magazine, Rogue Blade Games, and Art of the Genre. He also does portraits of people and their pets. Simon lives in 200 year old Maine farmhouse with his wife, kids, and two cats.

Dr. Kiyah Duffey, a celebrated nutrition expert with a PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill and founder of Kizingo, leverages her 20 years of experience to parents towards fostering healthier food habits in themselves and their children. As a mother of three and a globally recognized speaker and entrepreneur, she combines personal insight and professional expertise to help you transform your family’s relationship with food.