Creativity from adversity
By the time you get to read this, I hope that the sun will be shining, spring flowers abound- and the unlocking of the country continues apace.
We have heard and read of almost nothing else but the pandemic for over a year and, although I am certainly not wishing to add to that, I want to take a few minutes to focus on the creative positives.
On every level, creativity has flourished and now we can reflect and move forward in rather an exciting way. Today I read that, during 2020, a record number of start-up businesses were launched- 407,510 to be precise. On a domestic front, more DIY and gardening has been fulfilled during the past months than anyone could imagine. And, on a family front, my youngest student daughter has invested her hard-earned money, from the working summers of the past, in a sewing machine. From what we observe on Facetime calls, her student room is full of boxes of off-cut fabric, cut-price zips and, amazingly, expertly cut patterns of her favourite clothes. (She certainly hasn’t taken after her mother). Her alpha male housemate has taken to making wonderful silver jewellery. Who said that students only sit around drinking?! I have discovered a new found love of growing herbs and it has brought real joy!
At Laidlaw Education, we have been bursting with new innovations. The Laidlaw Virtual Academy has spread far and wide with online lessons; we have created special courses for the holidays bringing nature, creative writing and art together in a woodland outside setting. Although we miss the buzz of the office, we have learned new ways of communication whilst working from home and have even installed a new phone system that will enable us to work from anywhere in the world and still be in touch as an office.
So what I am really saying is …“ Creativity has burst from Adversity” and let’s ensure that it is here to stay.
As Spring turns to Summer and days are longer, as well as weekends, Bank Holidays, half term and the long Summer holidays beckon, there is time for our children to embrace the blank canvas of creativity and explore their imagination. Here is a real opportunity to use time just to be- even to get bored! Bored children often create wonderful ideas and imaginative things to do; in our efforts to be great parents, we do a great job in exposing them to new opportunities and learning new skills but we mustn’t be scared to let them discover for themselves. As life returns to a more recognisable form and routine, let’s carve out time to give our children this freedom to explore.
Give it a try- and here’s to some very happy months ahead and children who are not only taught well but also who have time to learn from their own discoveries and imagination.
Sue Laidlaw is Founder of Laidlaw Education LLP and leads the team of qualified and experienced teachers both in their venues and within the Laidlaw Virtual Academy.
0208 487 9517