Today, we sat at the dinner table, having our evening meal.
I looked around the table and let my eyes settle on Tiarnan, three, who seemed to be particularly enjoying his food. He was oblivious to his surroundings as he ate.
"Who is my biggest little boy?", I asked, to the room.
Without a pause, Tiarnan looked up at me and called out: "Nonsense!"
It was funny. Tiarnan had seen my meaning for what it was: a load of contradictory nonsense. He had also known, at once, whom I spoke of.
(If you would like to learn more of Ainan Celeste Cawley, a scientific child prodigy, aged eight years and seven months, or his gifted brothers, Fintan, five years exactly, and Tiarnan, twenty-eight months, please go to:http://scientific-child-prodigy.blogspot.com/2006/10/scientific-child-prodigy-guide.html I also write of gifted education, IQ, intelligence, the Irish, the Malays, Singapore, College, University, Chemistry, Science, genetics, left-handedness, precocity, child prodigy, child genius, baby genius, adult genius, savant, wunderkind, wonderkind, genio, гений ребенок prodigy, genie, μεγαλοφυία θαύμα παιδιών, bambino, kind.
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I just wanted to write in about a comment from Sir Ken Robinson about creativity. (from one of the TED talks: Ken Robinson says school kills creativity).
ReplyDeleteHe said, "They (kids) are not frightened of being wrong. Now, I don't mean to say that being wrong is the same as being creative. What we do know is, if you are not prepared to be wrong, you will never come up with anything original."
When I heard this statement, I felt that it described the current situation that we find in education. (especially in this and other test-competitive countries).
I would agree with Sir Robinson's assessment. Furthermore, it is clear that Singapore is one of the worst places in the world for creativity. It is the least creative place (out of about 20 countries) that I have ever visited...and yes, I believe that the schools have a large part to play in this general mental deadness.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment.
One would wonder why on earth you would want to stay in boring Singapore...Perhaps you should leave to a country that suits you?
ReplyDeleteMy wife's family are here. However, that doesn't change the fact that the Singaporean education system is very adept at creating, uncreative students. I have seen it too much to doubt it.
ReplyDeleteWe live here, because our family roots are here. Why do you live here?
Then again, I didn't say Singapore was boring, you did. I am not bored...I occupy myself quite nicely, thanks.
Dear Valentine,
ReplyDeleteMy interest is piqued: you mentioned that Singapore is the least creative place out of the 20 countries you visited.
Which are the other 19 countries?
Regards.
Almost every European country, plus America and Malaysia and Indonesia. I consider the other South East Asian countries more creative artistically than Singapore.
ReplyDeleteCheers
I mustn't forget our recent trip to Thailand either (good artistic/craft work).
ReplyDeleteKind regards
Hi Valentine.
ReplyDeleteI'm just wondering what do you think of Indonesia and Thailand, as i think you've never talked about your experience in those countries. Or have you?
Thanks :)
Hmmm...I do believe I have written a post or two about Batam Island, Indonesia (my only experience of that country). I have also written about Thailand (we visited Chang Mai).
ReplyDeleteI haven't written much though...but then I haven't experienced them much, either.
Try googling my site for that material. "Elephant" might be a good search term.