Creating an Innovator in Lil O

So, I need your help.....

If you follow Upcycled Education on Facebook or Instagram, you know I was reading the book, Creating Innovators by Tony Wagner.  I finished the book a week ago and I am now in the processing stage post-read.  Yep, I am one of those folks who needs a bit of time to process and make sense of a book's message.  It generally takes me several weeks to make sense of it all.

So far I can say, Creating Innovators is a thoughtful book - ideal for parents and teachers (and assorted allies).   Though there are several take-home messages in Wagner's book; one stands out to me immediately.  Overwhelming, it seems, most creative and innovative children and adults become passionate about something as a child.  Wagner's advice is to let kids "play" with that passion and to fuel the child's natural desire to learn more about their interest (without judgment).  

With that being said, I am looking for opportunities for Lil O to see real fashion design in person as you know that is a top interest of hers.  I've already contacting a local design and manufacturing company who specializes in women's clothing; Lil O and I are meeting the head designer and taking a tour of their factory in mid-February.  I would love to expose her to more of those real fashion opportunities.

If you have a lead, contact or "know someone" in the fashion industry in the Mid-Atlantic region, would you please share this blog post with them and/or share their contact information with me?  You (or they) can email me directly at jen at upcyclededucation.com or you (or they) can leave a comment below.

As I continue to process Wagner's work, I will share more so we can all create more innovative children and students.

My best,

Jen

PS - If you have a budding fashion designer in your class or home, Lil O really enjoys this sketchbook and stencils pictured above.

For the Young Fashion Designer

Lil O is into fashion design lately.  Actually, she has been for a while, but now she has the fine and gross motor skills to pull it off.  Santa (aka: Amazon) delivered this fashion studio Christmas morning.

Cousin A and Lil O had the best time enjoying it......

They did challenges, used interesting materials like tissue paper, pipe cleaners, and washi tape & sketched their designs.

Lil O and Cousin A even challenged me to create a "bridesmaid dress."  You can see my design in the top left square below.  All the other designs are theirs.  I give their designs and this studio kit an A+ rating! 

Lil O gives it an A+ rating, too!  Ditto for Cousin A.

What gifts would you give an A+ rating?

Curious,

Jen