Skip To Main Content

Trait of the Month

May Trait of the Month: Creativity

As we wrap up the school year, Pioneer Elementary is celebrating Creativity!

We define creativity as "using your imagination to create something new or to solve a problem." Many people think creativity is only about drawing, painting, or playing music, but at Pioneer, we see it as a vital "brain power" that shows up in every subject. Whether a student is finding a unique way to solve a math word problem, inventing a new game at recess, or writing a story from a different perspective, they are using creativity. It is the ability to look at the world and ask, "What if?" or "How else could this work?"

"Creativity is not just for artists. It's for business people looking for a new way to close a sale; it's for engineers trying to solve a problem; it's for parents who want their children to see the world in more than one way." — Twyla Tharp

This quote reminds us that creativity is a tool for life. It helps us stay flexible, find solutions when we are stuck, and appreciate the many different ways people think and live.

Creativity Discussion Prompts for Home

Encourage your child’s imagination with these dinner-time or car-ride conversations:

  1. "If you had to design a brand-new invention to make a daily chore (like making your bed or cleaning your room) faster or more fun, what would it look like and how would it work?"

  2. "Think about a problem you had today. If you couldn't use the usual solution, what is one 'outside the box' or 'crazy' idea you could try to fix it?"

  3. "Twyla Tharp says creativity helps us 'see the world in more than one way.' Pick an everyday object, like a paperclip or a cardboard box. How many different things could that object be besides what it was made for?"