Next week, parents and teachers join forces to celebrate Read Across America Day, annually held on March 2. This nationwide observance coincides with the birthday of Dr Seuss, who is known for writing children’s books.
Teachers dress up and plan activities demonstrating the fun of reading. Though geared to students, there is a lesson we can all learn from Dr. Seuss.
In 1960 his publisher at Random House, Bennett Cerf, made a wager with Theodor S. Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) that he could write an intelligent, entertaining children’s book only using 50 words.
Geisel won the bet and $50; one dollar for each word. Despite the limitation of words, over 200 million copies of Green Eggs and Ham have been sold.
Kids of all ages can learn how constraints help us be more creative.
Constraints are often used as an excuse for not moving forward. Instead, let’s embrace them and come up with creative solutions. Don’t buy your child a creativity kit, which is an oxymoron, but rather give them things you have around the house and ask them to create something. You might be surprised at the result. Talk about how limitations helped the ground crew bring home the astronauts from Apollo 13.
In business, we look for reasons that stand in the way of us being innovative. We don’t have the time or money, or we haven’t vetted out ideas properly, or don’t have the right talent. I’ve written this before, but if we wait till all the lights are green before we leave for work, we will never begin.
As our children’s greatest role model, what is it that you would love to do? Get started despite the constraints, and your children will follow your lead.
You may even want to fry up Green Eggs and Ham!
Have a great week!
Tina Nocera, Founder
