In a heartwarming TikTok video that’s making waves across the Internet, a class of young children perform the original song they wrote to honor the beginning of spring. “This is a song we wrote together as a class,” teacher Rodney Tristan (a singer-songwriter based in Seattle, Washington), explains before strumming a few chords and leading the class in their charming performance.It’s a delightful ode to spring, with lyrics like, "When it is spring, we'll be outside with smiles so wide" and "When it is spring, we'll be outside, we'll play in the sun." They class sings with wide-eyed enthusiasm, their faces beaming with pride.The power of creative jammingThe heartwarming performance isn’t the only thing that makes this video special. It’s the collaborative process behind it, the fact that this piece of art could happen with input from everyone in the class. When children create together, whether that’s song, story, acting, painting, dance, or other art, they develop crucial life skills and lay the groundwork for a fulfilling adult life later on.Soviet psychologist Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934) researched children’s learning in social and cultural contexts, particularly the importance of social interactions in a child’s cognitive development. According to Vygotsky’s 2004 paper, “Imagination and Creativity in Childhood,” he believed that creativity comes alive whenever human activity produces something new—from something as grand as a symphony, to a rock with googly eyes glued onto it. He also believed that creativity is a gift that exists in all people—not just adults, but very young children, too. "Creativity is scientifically linked to cognitive, emotional, and social development in children. Creativity arises from accumulating diverse experiences, enabling children to synthesize ideas and make novel discoveries." - Lev Vygotsky Vygotsky would have absolutely loved the children’s song to spring since it exemplifies the collaborative creativity he championed. By working together on the lyrics and then performing it for an audience, these kids were having more than fun: without even knowing it, they were building neural pathways for critical thinking and adaptability. Creating leads to neural pathways for critical thinking. Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash It’s about the journey, not final productAnother thing that's absolutely beautiful about this video is the fact that teacher Tristan highlights that this song was a collective effort—a project whose joys lie not with the performance itself, but with writing, practicing, and collaborating on the song as active creators.This highlights the difference between "process art" and "product art." While "product art" is all about skill development (adults give step-by-step instructions with the expectation that they will be followed directly), "process art" centers around the creative experience. This type of creativity allows the child to create with little to no direction and allows space for self-discovery and freedom. The process becomes relaxed and free of pressure, giving the child the opportunity to enjoy creating and to feel proud of their efforts no matter how the final piece turns out. It's all about enjoying the process. Photo credit: CanvaCreative expression and its early childhood powerWhen kids create art together, the limits are boundless. A cardboard box becomes a rocket ship. The inside of a family home can turn into a prestigious art gallery with just enough imagination. What sounds like gibberish to adults could be an entirely new language for kids. When children engage their brains and practice creativity, they: Develop problem-learning skills through experimentation Learn to express their complex emotions in healthy ways Practice collaboration and negotiation Start to build confidence in their skills, abilities, and ideas Experience the universal joy of creating something unique and original The Learning Through Play initiative notes, "Creativity is instinctive in children—and just as essential in adults. Children flex it instinctively: everything is new to them and they spend every waking second working—and playing—hard at connecting the dots between their experiences, ideas, and imagination."Nurturing creativity at home Fostering a creative space starts at home. Photo credit: CanvaAre you inspired by this delightful classroom collaboration? According to the Kids Care Club, here are ways that parents, teachers, and others can encourage creativity in the young ones around them: Ask open-ended questions that prompt them to think deeply and imaginatively. “What do you think would happen if…?” “How else could we solve this problem?” “Can you think of a different way to use this object?” Create an environment that encourages exploration Open-ended play areas with diverse, fun materials Displaying their art and creative projects with pride Making art supplies, building blocks, and dress-up clothes readily available Creating cozy spaces for reading and imaginative play Allow for unstructured playtime Encourage process over product Praise effort and innovative thinking rather than just the final product Encourage children to explain their creative choices Provide opportunities for children to revisit and refine their creations Add in music and movement Daily music sessions with singing and dancing Providing instruments for exploration and creation Encouraging children to create their own songs or dance routines Think outside of the box Use storytelling and dramatic play Limit screen time Embrace nature. The creative process is messy with children and adults. So the next time you’re tempted to remind your child to “color inside the lines” or “play the correct way,” try taking a step back. It might be time to present them with the gift of creating something truly their own, or collaboratively, like this inspiring classroom so beautifully did. The results might surprise you. Who knows? Your kid might surprise you. Giphy

‘I guess we can write about anything now - any feeling.’

One of their best.

Alice In Chains guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell will embark on a summer tour in support of his recent album “I Want Blood,” his fifth solo effort. The latest round of U.S. dates (Cantrell completed a tour earlier this year), kicks off in San Diego on August 16th. Cantrell will be joined by Filter, whose most recent album was ’23’s “The Algorithm.” The Richard Patrick led Filter was on the previous run as well. Tickets go on sale this Thursday at 10 a.m. local time. “I Want Blood” Tour Dates: Ticket Information August 16 – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North ParkAugust 17 – Anaheim, CA @ House of BluesAugust 19 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee TheatreAugust 20 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto TheatreAugust 22 – Dallas, TX @ House of BluesAugust 23 – Austin, TX @ Emo’sAugust 26 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus LiveAugust 27 – Orlando, FL @ House of BluesAugust 29 – Columbia, SC @ The SenateAugust 30 – Charleston, SC @ The RefinerySeptember 2 – Allentown, PA @ Archer Music HallSeptember 3 – New Haven, CT @ Toad’s PlaceSeptember 5 – Cleveland, OH @ House of BluesSeptember 6 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Roxian TheatreSeptember 7 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’sSeptember 9 – Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrew’s HallSeptember 10 – Davenport, IA @ Capitol TheatreSeptember 12 – Minneapolis, MN @ UptownSeptember 13 – La Vista, NE @ The Astro (Indoor Theater)September 14 – Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theater Later this month, Cantrell will tour Europe. That run will continue through June. Cantrell has recorded six albums with Alice In Chains and has appeared in a number of films, most notable Singles (’92) and Jerry Maguire (’96). I Want Blood Album Cover The Algorithm Cover ### The post Alice In Chains’ Jerry Cantrell To Tour This Summer appeared first on RockinTown.

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from State Of The Nation: First of all, Comey just can’t be that stupid. Of course, if he was Covid vaxxed to the max, and if he’s also on a potpourri of psychoactive pharma drugs as a consequence of (i) all of the institutional treason he oversaw and/or covered up as well as (ii) his […]

from RT: Ultimatums could derail negotiations between Moscow and Kiev, the former Russian president has said Ultimatums from the West will not help resolve the Ukraine conflict, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned, after the EU and US threatened Moscow with additional sanctions. As Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks in three […]