Friday 7 February 2014

Creative Intelligence - Do we care to understand its importance?

A recent newspaper headline in TOI caught my attention ‘Patna students plot to hunt Dawood, go broke and return’.  It got my attention because kids were involved and it also involved a ridiculous plan which I admired about the young kids. The gist- 3 students inspired by films and TV planned to make some quick money by apprehending Dawood. They ran away from home as they were bored with studies. They reached all the way to Kolkatta for their mission before they realized the futility and also because they ran out of funds. But the plot was quite intelligent, they even tried to approach Bihar’s ruling Janata Dal legislator for funding!

Their teacher on condition of anonymity said that these three boys were least bothered about their studies. This is where I would like to mention about creative intelligence and the weak teacher training that our teachers are exposed to. World over schools are now talking about a new intelligence CQ- Creative Intelligence. Steve Jobs, Mick Jagger and more have all proved that success can be gained through creative thinking and innovative ideas. These boys should not be written off, let’s look at what all these so called ‘not bothered about studies’, boys were able to achieve by creative thinking skills.

1.       They were quite aware about current affairs and were aware that they should chase Dawood for maximum benefit. They were quite sensible or else they would have chased a film star.

2.       Their plan was thought about for the benefit to both, themselves and society- getting rid of a Don.

3.       They planned well to approach for ‘funding’ for their idea.

4.       They travelled all the way to Kolkatta, showing independence, self esteem and determination.

5.       They ran out of money and had the common sense to head back home. They knew when to give up.

Yes, one cannot applaud them but one should not ridicule them also. They need to be made to understand about right and wrong of their plan. They had creative intelligence; they need to be groomed in creative planning and thinking. Think about it, if groomed well by a good teacher or adult these 3 boys can become a success story as innovative thinkers. But sadly these children will be lost in the education system and will be labeled as pranksters, bullies, run aways - a stigma that will only push them to the brink and maybe end up on the other side of the social structure.

But just for a moment I would like to imagine the scenario if they are helped to understand the right and wrong, the pros and cons of their act, they would be groomed into independent decision makers, kids who are confident of their ideas and who would now be more cautious about planning and implementation.

Its time our teachers and parents understand potential in children and learn to recognize, tap and nurture it at the right time, in the right manner. Teacher training courses can help train teachers and teachers can then be role models for parents. Think about the number of children who will benefit, think of the pool of ‘genius’, ‘gifted and talented’ that we will be able to nurture from the children presently in our schools and colleges.

If their teacher is unable to help these three boys, maybe other teachers and parents can use this example to talk to kids and help them understand that actions become good or bad with good or bad decisions. And decision making is a skill that can be learned. It’s time we stopped bringing up generations on silly grades, report cards and marks. Let us mark the destiny of our kids by gifting them creative intelligence but first let us all understand its importance. A wonderful book I would recommend- Creative Intelligence, by Bruce Nussbaum.

11 comments:

Preethi Vickram said...

This example is a wonderful discussion starter with the teachers about multiple intelligence in children. Thank you ma'am!

Unknown said...

A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning through creative thinking skills. The teacher’s role in a positive thinking way is been wonderfully messaged, thank you Ma’am.

Anonymous said...

"Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom." - Albert Einstein,
It is the responsibility of education to foster creativity in our students and teachers play very important role and they must know about the multiple intelligence of kids .

Unknown said...

In this article, I would share a theory called WICS, which is
an acronym for wisdom, intelligence, and creativity, synthesized. The basic idea underlying this theory is that, through liberal education, students need to acquire creative skills and attitudes to
generate new ideas about how to adapt flexibly to a rapidly changing world, analytical skills and attitudes to ascertain whether these new ideas are good ones, practical skills and attitudes to
implement the new ideas and convince others of their value, and wisdom-based skills and
attitudes in order to ensure that the new ideas help to achieve a common good through the infusion of positive ethical values.But knowledge taught for its own sake can become inert.So it is in effective practice what teacher has done in School and in later the children with unsocio & unculture.So its not only teacher but it should make an awareness for all in society about the actually way and importance of creativity and intelligence .Thank you maam to remind us where we sometimes forget that we are the role model for them so we should be the first to know what is correct and wrong for children to learn.

Unknown said...

It is true grades do not make children smart but it is intelligence which helps them in success. And a teacher can only give them wisdom to differentiate between right and wrong.

Unknown said...

Best -article now really made us think a teacher has skill to build child life with creative intelligence by caring and understanding them and not grading them which really brings pressure in childs life this article will help all parents and teachers when they are in their role.

jayshree shah said...

A wonderful article its a learning for us also unknowingly sometimes we neglect the important aspects.
Creative skill plays a very important role in every child's success.

Unknown said...

Creative intelligence is the capacity for knowing and learning.The creativity is activated through intention and attention.When we become aware of this process we learn how to implement it. Teachers and parents play a very vital role for knowing this process and way it should be implemented.

vaishali joshi said...

After reading this article, philosophy of John Dewey and Rabindranath Tagore flashed again about situation based education. School is mini society; School should have a hand hold with the student to make them walk confidently in the society. For this teacher should be trained as each and every child is different. Creative intelligences developed through proper experiences and exposures.
Thanks ma'am, for such a enlightened article.
Vaishali Joshi.

kamal said...

A Wonderful article whereby it gives an insight, that the teacher plays a very important role in the child's education. As success could be gained through creative thinking and innovative ideas. This article will guide the teachers and parents to help them to understand that actions become good or bad with good or bad decisions.

Unknown said...

After reading this article,it made me to think how the teacher plays an important role in the society and in child's life along with the parents.Teachers ability to understand can bring confidence,success in child's life through creative thinking.