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Ginger Carlson's posts

Ginger Carlson, MA Ed, is a speaker, education consultant, and the author of Child of Wonder: Nurturing Creative and Naturally Curious Children. She leads creativity-building workshops throughout the US for parents and educators. Please visit her at http://www.gingercarlson.com to learn more, see her blogs about living creatively and cooking with children, or sign up for Wonderwise, her free email newsletter.

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Come Together, Right Now: Building a Community That Cares for Our Children

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed. It is the only thing that ever has."  ~ Margaret Mead We live in a unique time in history.  It is one rich with strife and angst, but also opportunity, joy, and creativity.  It is what we choose to

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Paper Explorations: Creative Fun and Discovery with Paper

It's that time of year again; we turn a little more inward and move our activities a bit more indoors. School is back in session and our learning tools look more like paper and pencils than the previous month's water and lemonade stands. And with that, our opportunities for exploring and

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Packing with Creativity in Mind

Being required to sit in one spot for hours on end can be a difficult task. Ease that by providing children things to stimulate their brains and bodies.  Provide the tools that turn getting to your destination into a creative venture. As you plan your travels, consider packing the following:

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Wonder Hits the Road! Creative Thinking When Traveling

Wherever you go, there you are. It's a saying that can be traced back to the late 15th century, and still over half a millennium later, we find truth and meaning in it. As we explore ways to nurture creative thinking in our selves and our children, we realize that it is not just in our homes and

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Backroom Dragon Theater: The Movieplex Comes Home

It began just after my son's fourth birthday. His best young friend was over for a playdate. As soon as she walked in the door, they both conferred and then chimed, "Can we watch a movie?" I was disappointed that was what they wanted to do together. I wanted them to talk and laugh and create

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How to Climb a Tree

It is has been said that those who dwell in the beauty of the trees, will never grow weary to the mysteries of life. In the book Little Bear's Friend by Else Homelund Minarek, the story begins with Little Bear climbing a tree. During Little Bear's journey to the top of that tree, he encounters a

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Learning to Look: Observing, Critiquing, and Exploring Art

Young children move through their days with such passion and fervor that it is often a skill for a child to pause and just observe. Learning to look is the foundation, the first baby step if you will, to being able to develop creative expression through art. Once a child can really look at a piece

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Exploring the Creative Potential of Music

Excerpted from Child of Wonder There is a whoosh-whoosh rhythm in the womb, a mother's heartbeat in perfect time: nature's drum. With the sense of touch, this internal drumming can be felt at just a few weeks gestation. Then, at ten weeks, hearing develops and the ssh! of Mama's blood reaches

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Books to Help Your Child Think (Outside the Box)

When we talk about rearing children who live a creative life, one filled with thinking skills, problem solving, and self-expression that almost always includes lives filled with models of creativity. Those models come in all shapes, sizes and forms, not the least of which is the model of a great

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Dare to Dream: Family Goal Setting Tips for the New Year

Just as we may set goals for ourselves, guiding our children in goal setting is valuable to their own creative development. Studies show that children (and adults) who define their own goals and reflect on their struggles and accomplishments are more likely to have success with what they are

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Books to Help Your Child Think (Outside the Box)

When we talk about rearing children who live a creative life, one filled with thinking skills, problem solving, and self-expression that almost always includes lives filled with models of creativity.  Those models come in all shapes, sizes and forms, not the least of which is the model of a great

Continue reading "Books to Help Your Child Think (Outside the Box)"

Creative Problem Solving in the Life and Times of a Young Child

It is such a pleasure to be invited to guest post again here at The Savvy Source .   As you know, my focus is creativity and how we as parents and caregivers can encourage a fulfilled and creative life in our children as they grow and mature.   So, towards that end, I turn to the young child as

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Creative Problem Solving in the Life and Times of a Young Child

It is such a pleasure to be invited to guest post again here at The Savvy Source .  As you know, my focus is creativity and how we as parents and caregivers can encourage a fulfilled and creative life in our children as they grow and mature.  So, towards that end, I turn to the young child as a

Continue reading "Creative Problem Solving in the Life and Times of a Young Child "

Giving Experiences

Steam escapes from the open mouth of the engine's stack as we pull away from the station.  Chugga-chugga-puff-puff is all we can hear as my son's nose is pressed against the glass with the force of gale wind.  With every ounce of his being given to this moment, it seems nothing could pry him

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Holidays Are Delicious: The Creative Family Kitchen During the Holiday Season

Holiday magic often begins in the kitchen. Creating traditions is yet another way to build creativity, and the holiday season is a particularly wondrous time to begin a new tradition or rediscover an old one. So as you step into your kitchen this month, involve your children, explore together, and

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The Wonder of Water Play!

Water is a tremendous and abundant element of the earth. It provides a sensory experience, connection to nature, and insight into the mysteries our world holds. Water play offers opportunity to develop emotionally, cognitively, and physically. On top of all that, it is one of the easiest sources

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