There isn’t an education system on the planet that teaches dance everyday to children the way we teach them mathematics. Why?
Imagination is the primary gift of human consciousness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Imagination is a unique and essential trait of human awareness that enhances our creativity and understanding.
This quote emphasizes the significance of imagination in human consciousness, suggesting that it is not only a natural capacity but also a fundamental gift that shapes our ability to think creatively and perceive the world in innovative ways. Ken Robinson highlights that our conscious thoughts and dreams are fueled by imagination, which can lead to transformative ideas and solutions in various aspects of life, from art to science.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about creativity in education, one could use this quote to underscore the need for fostering imaginative skills in students.
More from Ken Robinson
All quotes →Creativity now is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status.
When my son, James, was doing homework for school, he would have five or six windows open on his computer, Instant Messenger was flashing continuously, his cell phone was constantly ringing, and he was downloading music and watching the TV over his shoulder. I don’t know if he was doing any homework, but he was running an empire as far as I could see, so I didn’t really care.
Creativity is the greatest gift of human intelligence.
Teaching for creativity aims to encourage self-confidence, independence of mind, and the capacity to think for oneself.
Helping people to connect with their personal creative capacities is the surest way to release the best they have to offer.
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