Creativity

Last week I spent 4 wonderful days at a workshop on Children's Creativity, at the gorgeous Tauhara centre above the shores of Lake Taupo. The workshop was run by Pennie Brownlee, an amazing woman who's had years of involvement with Playcentre and has an absolute passion for understanding and encouraging children's development. She has a particular interest in children's creativity and is the author of a Playcentre published book entitled "Magic Places".

We were given a journal, pencils, pens, and lovely oil pastel crayons to work with and to keep, along with making finger paint, collages, and playing with clay. We sketched, we 'scribbled', we created, we learned so much, we laughed, we sang, we danced, we ate the most marvellous food. It was a much needed break from the noise and busy-ness of ordinary life, and I loved it. Mind you, I haven't put any new sketches into that journal yet. Sigh.


On the way home at sunset, we stopped on the Desert Road and took pictures of Ruapehu and Ngaruahoe. I don't think I've ever seen the snow so low on Ruapehu, and Ngaruahoe was wearing a cloud cap - so beautiful!