Question 3: Creativity

            “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” (Albert Einstein). A genius of his time, Albert Einstein, argues the importance of creativity and imagination. The public is becoming less creative, especially children in America- from kindergarten through sixth grade. This is due to how schools are set up to encourage trying to get the highest letter grades and test scores. Creativity is the ability for an individual to “create” or imagine new ideas and creations. Schools should teach creative and independent thinking.  

            What is creativity? Many people talk about creativity and the need for it, but may not really know what it is. Creativity is an abstract concept. One can interpret creativity in many different ways. I believe creativity is the ability for an individual to “create” or imagine new ideas and creations.

            The decline in creativity can be blamed on society and the education system. Society wants kids to go to school and study. Afterwards, society expects the graduates to get a job and help with the labor force that pushes society forward.  The education system has much blame to accept too. The education system teaches students that there are strict boundaries to learning. Also how the education system is set up, students can’t think outside the box. They are forced to think inside the box for the sake of high letter grades and high test scores. Schools should teach students to think unconventionally and freely. Without doing so, students will become less and less creative.

            What is the solution to the problem? We can start by teaching children at a young age that making mistakes is all part of the learning experience. And instead of “traditional teaching” where the teacher explains a concept and students write it down. The teacher should introduce the concept and let the students think critically about. Afterwards, the teacher and students should discuss the concept, throwing ideas back and forth. Also starting at a young age, children should be exposed to a plethora of extra- curricular activities. This way the children get a broader view showing them that reading and writing aren’t the only source of learning.

            The lack of creativity in younger kids is a crisis. The future of America and the world are dependent on these kids. As time goes on, the world will only face sophisticated and harder problems that might not have an exact solution. If we teach children that education is not black and white but shades of grey, they will be creative thinkers that can solve political, environmental, and scientific problems that plague society today. Creativity is one of the most necessary quality of a great leader. The solution to wars, famine, and health care is thinking outside the box.