Features for Parents & Teachers

Highlight Picks

The Art of Pattern Theory
A new revolution in the world of textile art makes your fabric come alive. After centuries people are waking up to Block Printing. Here is a quick and easy guide to Pattern Theory.

Crafting Your Business Vision and Values
Where Is Your Business Headed, and What Do You and Your Company Stand For? Your work, like that of most creative entrepreneurs, expresses who you are. Your creative business reflects your vision, values, and voice.

Your vision is the big picture of your business (and your life). It's where you see yourself heading and includes how you're making a positive difference, what success looks and feels like to you, and what makes life and work ripe with fulfillment and meaning.

A Penny for My Thoughts
What's in a penny these days? Many don't think pennies are worth the trouble of consideration. Here's another take on this seemingly insignificant coin we use as currency. Read a view point on the money coin bearing Abraham Lincoln's profile. And while your at that, you'll learn some interesting aspects and tidbits about the 16th President of the United States.

Abby Connors - Early Childhood Arts Educator & Author

Authors : Abby Connors

Abby Connors' Passion for Teaching Children Music

Abby Connors Interview
Learn about Abby's passion for inventing games and songs to teach children about music, and her music enrichment program for kids in this exclusive Creative Careers in the Arts interview.

Working with young children and their amazing creative minds is a joyous gift, a unique privilege, and an awesome responsibility. As teachers and caregivers we have the power to squash their creative energies — or to inspire and encourage them to develop their individual creative gifts.

My new book, Teaching Creativity: Supporting, Valuing, and Inspiring Young Children’s Creative Thinking, shares hundreds of ways to foster children’s creativity. 101 Rhythm Instrument Activities for Young Children, my first book, won the Early Childhood News Directors’ Choice Award and the Parents’ Choice Award. I’ve also published poems, articles, stories, songs, games, and crafts activities.

I’ve presented many workshops for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and other educational organizations. Learn dozens of fun ideas for helping children develop creative thinking skills on my website and blog, Teach Creativity.

Teaching Creativity Book Excerpts

Think Outside the Catalog
By Abby Connors
Before you throw it out, stop and think: Could my students use this for creative art projects?

The Secret Ingredient to Teaching Creativity
By Abby Connors
Respect — listening, not interrupting and double-checking to make sure we understand children’s meanings — is the magic secret ingredient for unlocking children’s creative potentials.

Keep 'Creativity Folders' of Children’s Ideas
By Abby Connors
Young children, who have countless ideas but forget far too many of them, would really benefit from having their creative thoughts recorded and kept by a thoughtful teacher.

Nurturing Children's Creativity Articles

Ten Ways Improvisation Helps Children Learn
By Abby Connors
Children are constantly improvising, not only in play, but in language, singing, playing instruments, dance and movement, and art.

Prepare to Be Amazed
By Abby Connors
Creative ideas don’t always appear in ways we expect, but we can be ready for the unexpected — when we’re prepared to be amazed.

The Secret (and Very Creative) Life of Puppets
By Abby Connors
So often in preschool classrooms, I see puppets languishing in toy boxes or on shelves. Too many teachers are unaware of puppets’ amazing creative potential! (Includes free printable Gingerbread Man finger puppet.)

Creative Arts and Creative Thinking Are Not the Same Thing!
By Abby Connors
There’s so much more to “educating the creative mind” than arts education.

Children Need to Know We Value Their Ideas
By Abby Connors
It’s wonderful to stimulate and inspire creative thinking in the classroom, but we also need to show children how much we value their creative efforts.

How to Help Children Stay Creative
By Abby Connors
Every child is creative, but too many children lose some or most of their creativity as they grow to adulthood.

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