This article from CEREBRUM, a publication of the Dana Foundation, explores recent research into how the brain works creatively. It is fascinating. While the process retains mystery and many unknowns, there are a couple of take aways. In particular, priming our brains before we begin a creative task seems to make a difference, as such …
Nancy Magaud is a friend of mine and a retired educator living outside of Paris. Two years ago she suggested an idea for a parody song based on the old post WW1 song “How You Gonna Keep ’em Down on the Farm.” The parody would be essentially “How You Gonna’ Keep Their Nose in a …
I recently keynoted an early childhood conference in Greenville, NC. The topic was literacy and young children. I think it’s fairly common knowledge among those who work with young kids that there are those who mistakenly want to push explicit literacy instruction into earlier and earlier ages. The problem is that many or most children’s …
This is a great NPR story that summarizes much of what I have learned about kindness and how we raise children. Very worth a listen/read. Here
Lee Stanley has been a major musical force in Madison and farther for over thirty years. He’s a songwriter, author, amazing gospel pianist, and all around fine person. His work bringing music and a taste of a powerful artistic and cultural tradition to audiences of many types has been a gift that we have all …
I wrote this song as part of a large project with my friend Sarah Sprague. Songs to teach English to children in Brazil. Sarah does fantastic work in early childhood. A simple song to teach a simple yet important idea. © Stuart Stotts 2010
Mark Helpsmeet does a fantastic radio interview series called Song of the Soul. I was honored to be a guest on the program a few months ago. It’s worthwhile to checkout all the people he’s interviewed. An amazing cast of characters for those of who love acoustic music infused with soul, spirit, and social change. …