Why Creativity Builds Character (And Why We Need It More Than Ever)

Is creativity something to manage, or something to nurture? In this episode of Facing the Dark, Dr. Kathy Koch and Wayne Stender reframe creativity as far more than art projects or imaginative play. Drawing on research, classroom stories, and Scripture, they explore how creativity fuels resilience and character formation in children. From sticks turning into swords on a hike to invented words like fantabulous, this conversation shows how imagination helps kids problem solve, regulate stress, and engage the real world more deeply, not escape it. Rooted in Genesis 1, the episode reminds parents that creativity is part of what it means to bear God's image. Nature becomes the ultimate open ended classroom, inviting wonder, curiosity, and growth. If you've ever worried that creativity leads to chaos or distraction, this episode offers reassurance and practical wisdom for guiding, celebrating, and protecting your child's God-given creativity as it shapes both character and faith.