Ignite Your Ideas:
Creativity For Kids
BY Dr. Joanne Foster
Discover why creativity matters, how it develops, how to nurture it, how family members can support one another, what to do if creativity is a struggle, and what’s needed most for creativity to ignite from within the recesses of the mind—and beyond.
Age range 12-17 years
(For families, too!)
Ignite Your Ideas: Creativity For Kids
By Dr. Joanne Foster
Published by Gifted Unlimited
This is NOT another craft book. It IS bursting with ideas designed to fuel possibilities—glimmers, flashes, intentions, inventions, and collaborations—through the arts, technology, science, and other domains. Ignite Your Ideas is about finding and seizing diverse opportunities for learning, fulfillment, and creative expression. It includes countless suggestions for initiating, participating in, sharing, and building upon activities.
Ignite Your Ideas is conveniently formatted. The chapters can be read consecutively or not, but the book culminates with detailed descriptions of 100 sure-fire ways to spark creativity across many different areas of interest (alongside tips for organizing and optimizing these ways).
Dr. Foster also provides current resources, thought-provoking quotes, a mini-glossary, surprising avenues of discovery, reassurances, and other helpful information that will ignite meaningful and imaginative ideas! It will entice kids to extend their curiosity and ability levels; explore the wonders of the world; and become happily creative at home, school, and elsewhere.
In the same way that the author’s award-winning book Bust Your BUTS shines a light on procrastination and energize kids (and adults), Ignite Your Ideas enlightens young readers, and motivates them, too. The pages are ablaze with strategies that generate exciting, accessible choices, and joyful creative experiences for kids and their families.
ORDER LINKS:
Published by:
“Just when it seemed that our “end-product-is-everything” world had lost sight of the true essence of creativity, Joanne Foster provides a pathway for children to observe, think and LIVE creatively. Ignite Your Ideas: Creativity for Kids is a reunion for children and their imaginations; promising lifelong understanding, accessibility, and expressive freedom. There is no better medicine. “
Tina Harlow
Child & Family Therapist & Founder of Guiding Bright and the World Hope Project
“Wonder, imagination, effort, and choice accelerate creativity. The author’s suggestions for all this—and more—will inspire readers to get creating!”
Scott Barry Kaufman, Ph.D.
Cognitive scientist, podcaster, and co-author and author of several books including “Wired to Create” and “Transcend”
“Ignite Your Ideas is full of surprising insights into what creativity actually is, and how anyone can decide to be creative. This book is a kid-friendly resource that might just be life-changing for kids who haven’t yet found a way to make their own kind of magic. (NOTE: Parents can learn interesting stuff from this book too!)”
Dona Matthews, PhD
Developmental psychologist, and co-author and author of several books including “Imperfect Parenting”
“Ignite your Ideas is a nurturing book, full of valuable information. Joanne Foster provides a plethora of approaches, calling on people, words, ideas, prompts, and suggestions to help readers become more creative. She promotes creative thinking, problem solving, and cognitive skills for kids—and for adults, too. A wonderful book to help us all delve more proactively into our creative selves.”
Michael F. Shaughnessy, PhD
Professor, author of “Women Scientists Who Changed the World,” and editor of Journal of Gifted Education and Creativity
“I’m very excited about your book because your voice is full of genuine care, pragmatism, and balance, which is rare nowadays.”
Milena Z. Fisher, PhD
Co-founder and editor of The Creativity Post
“Ignite Your Ideas is packed with inspiring quotes, insightful guidance, and playful strategies. Joanne Foster’s creativity shines through with her use of language, and her many unique suggestions for creative projects, adventures, and explorations. This is a warm-hearted, engaging look at creativity for teens and their families. It will keep curious kids sparkling for days! Highly recommended.”
Paula Prober, PhD
Author of “Your Rainforest Mind” and “Saving Your Rainforest Mind”
“Joanne Foster’s book on creativity has a nurturing tone. Her words leave one feeling safe and secure to explore, experiment, dream, and act on hopes. Hers is a warm hand on your shoulder. This is so much more than a book about creativity. Yes, it’s practical—with 100 ways to kindle creative flames, ignite passions, and spark brilliance, complete with suggested organization methods to support discovery—but, in the end, it’s a gentle guide to life and fulfillment.”
Mark Hess
Teacher, and author of several books including “I Used to Be Gifted”
“Ignite Your Ideas speaks to children in a way that opens possibilities and wonder, inspiring them to look both within and at the world around them. Dr. Foster empowers children to be courageous, self-advocate, be aware of their emotions, and embrace change. Packed with ideas and strategies, this book teaches, encourages, and motivates children to live creative lives, full of growth and adventure.”
Dan Peters, PhD
Psychologist, podcaster, author of “Make Your Worrier a Warrior” and co-author of “Boosting Your Child’s Natural Creativity”
“Joanne Foster inspires, encourages, and suggests surprising pathways to being creative, even if you think you are not. She delivers a toolbox of insight and skills to help children thrive in imaginative and fun ways. Do your children and yourself a huge favor—read it.”
Susan Newman, PhD
Author of “Little Things Long Remembered”
“A tone of vitality pulsates through her book as Joanne Foster taps into this life source of energy. Anchored in wonder and gratitude, curiosity and resilience, her creativity abounds. Her 100 sure-fire ways to ignite creativity offer ideas for kids and families to initiate vivacity and fresh originality into everyday life.”
Gloria van Donge
Author of “The Gifted Kid Book Series”
“A highly engaging book addressing the awesomeness and freedom of living life through the lens of creativity. The book presents a scaffolding to guide children to find their own paths. Creativity becomes a profound journey existing within every child. The book provides inspirational quotes from creativity scholars, and poses prompts and direction to ignite wonder. End of chapter summaries help solidify concepts. Highly recommend. It really is such a great book!”
Marianne Kuzujanakis, MD, MPH
Pediatrician, and co-author of “Misdiagnosis”
“As an abstract painter, I’m constantly seeking inspiration and different ways to renew my creativity. The ideas in this book are fresh and exciting, and they will inspire kids AND adults. The author encourages readers to find and embrace possibilities and to express themselves creatively. “Ignite Your Ideas” is motivating and relevant, and it will spark the imagination of anyone wishing to reap the joyous benefits of living life creatively.”
Rina Gottesman
Award-winning contemporary artist
“Impressively researched but practically focused, Dr. Foster’s newest book is a go-to handbook for inspiring and sustaining creativity, written for children, youth and those who support them. This work is filled with motivating quotes and wit, supplemented by additional resources, and best of all, chock-full of workable strategies and idea-starters. No matter what form creativity takes, this book provides great support…Brava!”
Colleen Willard-Holt, Ph.D.
Faculty of Education Professor Emerita
“WOW, WOW, WOW. It is AWESOME!! There are so many things I love about this book! The way the author weaves a wide range of relevant examples into a coherent whole is truly inspiring. Readers of all ages will enjoy the accessible style and text. In her friendly, engaging style, Dr. Foster offers a variety of current and historical examples, thorough explanations, practical strategies, and helpful resources that will appeal to young people and all those who support them.”
Jaime Malic, PhD
Teacher and leadership program coordinator, St. Clement’s School, Toronto
IGNITE YOUR IDEAS – Abbreviated Table of Contents
Section One: The Light You Kindle p. 1
- Chapter One:
Why Is Creativity Important for Kids? (And Adults, Too!) p. 3 - Chapter Two:
How Does Creativity Develop? Questions and Answers p. 15 - Chapter Three:
Seize the Sizzle—Choice, Challenge, Connections, and Change (Plus Three More Sparks) p. 39
Section Two: The Glow You Nurture p. 57
- Chapter Four:
Creativity and Everyday Family Life (It’s Not Just Arts and Crafts) p. 59 - Chapter Five:
Do You Struggle with Creativity? Reasons and Remedies p. 71 - Chapter Six:
Feel the Burn! What Are the Best Environments for Creativity? p. 87 - Chapter Seven:
Agency and Effort! (Huh?) p. 91
Section Three: The Blaze You Choose p. 103
- Chapter Eight:
100 Sure-fire Strategies to Ignite Your Creativity p. 105
Illuminating Resources and References: You Can Be Creative! p. 143
About the Author p. 159
Excerpts from IGNITE YOUR IDEAS: CREATIVITY FOR KIDS
By Dr. Joanne Foster
100 Sure-fire Ideas… Here are three samples…
Excerpted Segments from Ignite Your Ideas
These pieces provide a window into material that awaits within the pages of Dr. Joanne Foster’s book Ignite Your Ideas: Creativity For Kids.
Curiosity and Creativity
By Dr. Joanne Foster
Wrestling with Creativity
By Dr. Joanne Foster
Connections (and Why They Matter)
By Dr. Joanne Foster
Effort and Creativity
By Dr. Joanne Foster
The Limitlessness of Creativity
By Dr. Joanne Foster
Perceived Risk
By Dr. Joanne Foster
Ignite Your Ideas – Back Cover
What is the target audience for this book?
Ignite Your Ideas is especially well-suited for kids 12 and older—although younger kids will also enjoy finding out about creativity and how to ignite it, and they’ll be excited about the many ideas. The book is ideal for families who want to discover and engage in creative activities together, and it’s great for educators who are looking for invigorating program offerings for their students.
What is the main focus of this book?
Ignite Your Ideas is about kindling creativity—and this can happen anywhere, anytime, and in lots of different ways. Creative expression can be fun, energizing, and thought-provoking. Dr. Foster uses humor, relatable examples, interesting quotes, and lots of acquired knowledge as she conveys why creativity matters, how it develops, how family members can inspire one another’s creativity, and how to overcome struggles with creative expression. Most importantly, the author reveals LOADS of ideas for sparking creativity at home, school, or elsewhere!
How many pages are there in this book?
There are 161 pages in Ignite Your Ideas.
Why is Dr. Foster qualified to have written this book?
Dr. Foster has taught countless students about creativity in various settings including in classrooms, university level teacher-training programs, online webinars, and conference venues. She wrote segments for The Encyclopedia of Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent, and she has an ongoing column at The Creativity Post (with a compendium of approximately 100 articles). She writes about creativity in all her books—for example, as it relates to child development, giftedness, the arts, motivation, learning environments, and intelligence-building. Dr. Foster embraces creativity in her own writing, and in the context of her day-to-day life.
What supplementary resources can readers find within this
book?
Ignite Your Ideas has a three-part optional organizational component to help readers categorize and jumpstart creative inclinations. There are many links and references to books, articles, online places and platforms, and other sources of information; a list of people whose words are quoted; and a mini-glossary of terms. Each chapter concludes with a Top Take-Aways section.
What kinds of reviews has this book received?
The editorial reviews are excellent, containing words like “empowers,” and “engages, and “inspires” and “highly recommended.” One review states, “Packed with ideas and strategies, this book teaches, encourages, and motivates children to live creative lives, full of growth and adventure.” Kirkus Review captures the intent, feel, and format of the book, calling it “compelling, ”and noting that “Foster speaks to young readers in these pages, and uses illustrative quotes and examples from a wide array of figures,” and that “the book’s overall tone is down-to-earth and easygoing.” Many other review comments can be seen by clicking on the “Reviews” tab, and by checking out the “Kirkus Review” tab on the Ignite Your Ideas book page on this website.
Are there any illustrations or charts in this book?
There are two black and white photos (on pages 7 and 88), and three “organizational approaches” charts (for those who chose to use these) on pages 106 – 107.
How can I see samples of the content of this book?
There is an “Excerpts” tab on the Ignite Your Ideas book page on this
website.
Is there a book club guide or other online material that
supplements this book?
Dr. Foster has been asked to create a book club/resource guide for families who wish to use Ignite Your Ideas in various capacities, and she is planning to do so. Creativity adds wonderful dimensions to learning, playing, sharing, and appreciating the wonders of the world, and supplementary material on this can be found within her articles—most notably at The Creativity Post online.
Excerpted Segments from Ignite Your Ideas
Please click on the images or the titles below to see excerpted material that offers a window into content within the pages of Dr. Joanne Foster's book Ignite Your Ideas: Creativity For Kids.
Curiosity and Creativity
Curiosity fuels creativity and intelligence. Dr. Joanne Foster emphasizes the importance of inquiry, purpose, and dialogue to build on knowledge, overcome challenges, and reach new heights, as she explains in Ignite Your Ideas: Creativity for Kids.
Wrestling with Creativity
Creativity may seem elusive or difficult. However, those who power through, and pursue creative avenues, can find joy and fulfillment. Dr. Foster reveals tips to help kids overcome self-doubt, resolve challenges, and become more creative.
Connections (and Why They Matter)
Connections are vital to learning and creativity. Dr. Foster likens them to a lifeline braided with family, friends, and community. Expanding our networks fosters collaboration, supports creativity, and leads to personal growth through new experiences.
Effort and Creativity
Effort fuels creativity and achievement. Dr. Foster emphasizes the importance of being “proactical”—proactive and practical—so aspirations become accomplishments. Through effort, we develop confidence, intellect, collaboration, and creativity while nurturing engagement and brainpower.
The Limitlessness of Creativity
Creativity offers a limitless perspective shift, like viewing the moon from space. It lets you embrace various points of view and make daily life more fulfilling by generating and developing ideas, turning glimmers into compelling realities.
Perceived Risk
Understanding perceived risk is crucial in creative pursuits. Learn how to distinguish between low and high risks and explore strategies to mitigate them, turning daunting challenges into achievable creative opportunities.
Related Blog Posts
Families, Creativity, and Celebratory Times: Adding a Fresh Spin!
The calendar year offers many occasions to be creative, learn, and have fun! Here are several ideas to help “create memorable moments, fortify traditions, share pleasurable family experiences, and bond over celebratory possibilities.”
Best Times Ever!
Discover ten different ways to facilitate fun—and then encourage your family to extend the ideas throughout the entire year. Find out how to maximize play, creativity, exploration, and joy now, and later.
Let’s Go for Ice Cream!
Check out these “ice cream-y” ideas! Discover delicious treats, create family fun, and enjoy memorable experiences! (BTW – my favorite ice cream flavor is moose tracks. What’s yours?)