Childhood Creativity Leads to Education

I just read a series of reports on an eight-year-old, Stella Ehrhart,  from Omaha, Nebraska who dresses up for school everyday as a different historical female figure or other character.  According to several articles, she said that she wants to dress up as people that she wishes to emulate and has dressed as Grace Kelly, Rosa Parks, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Billie Holiday, just to name a few.   They say that she opens her book about Influential Women and then opens her closet and creatively finds a way to dress like that person.  The costumes aren’t necessarily expensive or over-the-top, she just finds simple ways to represent someone.  The teachers use it as a way to do some impromptu history teaching.

I am so impressed with her drive and creativity and the support shown from parents, teachers, and classmates.  When so many young girls today are unwittingly dressing up to emulate movie stars and pop icons what a commendable way to express creativity, especially in such a productive and educational way.  Bravo Stella!

Read more about her in these links:

• Good Morning America shows Photos: Stella Ehrhart’s Historical Figure Outfits
• Omaha newspaper Reports: Omaha schoolgirl dresses as a different historical figure each day
• Huffington Post: Stella Ehrhart Dresses Up As Different Historical Figures, Characters Every Day For School