(08-08-2013, 05:23 PM)Reilly Wrote: Very interesting question!
My son is musically gifted, many of his parts can draw and paint, knit and crochet and he can fix things with ease. I recall one of my son's younger parts putting together a bookcase for me (without the directions) that came with numerous pieces.
I think being creative is essential in dissociation. I have an additional question. Were any of you "encouraged" strongly to be creative? For example, I know that my son was taught and forced to draw. His creativity was used for the benefit of others and sadly used as a means to control him. Today, I tell him to draw or paint or create music for himself, simply for pleasure.
By the way, I can't draw, play an instrument, or knit. I appreciate his talents.

In answer to your question, I have always been encouraged with regards to my writing. I still have a goal of being published for money and have many projects on the go. The encouragement never came from home but from teacher in different grades. As an adult we were encouraged to draw. It was great for the littles who couldn't write or had no words to describe what had happened. We don't use that tool as much but will still drag out paper and crayon (choice for drawing as it is more brilliant than pencils) BTW a suggestion for some of the more anxious littles. If they do not already have their own IPod or other music stick perhaps you could get them one. Let the anxious ones choose the music that they find calming. Everybody is different so it is important that they decide what they want.

(08-08-2013, 06:45 PM)chem_in_6 Wrote: My mum was an art major and a substitute preschool teacher. She had a lot to do with my introduction to art and she allowed me to draw, paint, play with clay, build things out of cardboard boxes and other material destined for the recycle bin. When I was in kindergarten, she would have me "think like a preschooler" and try out art projects to see if they were going to be too difficult her kids to do. I (chem) see a lot of that in Peskee (5 years old) and Mella (10 years old), especially when I get the chance to use coloured pencils for some of my college assignments.

When I got into martial arts and sports, I was always encouraged to keep improving and having fun. Eventually with the martial arts, it got to a point where I got pushed beyond my capabilities and "bowed out" so I could train on my own without feeling pressured to take on roles that I couldn't handle.