About this episode

This episode discusses how to reignite children's creativity in writing with insights from Joshua Davidson, co-founder of Night Zookeeper.

Are your kids dragging their feet when it comes to writing? You’re far from alone. This week on Homeschool Better Together, Laney Homan sits down with Joshua Davidson—children’s author and co-founder of Night Zookeeper—to unpack why so many kids lose their early love for creativity, and, most importantly, how we can spark that joy (and confidence) again, even for the most reluctant writers. Joshua shares a behind-the-scenes look into how creativity and story play a critical role in confidence building—not just on paper, but in your child’s sense of self. We talk about the science behind why kids start doubting their creative abilities (especially around ages 7–8), the difference between praise-based and skills-based confidence, and why stories can help even literal, “grandpa before their time” thinkers start to unlock imaginative worlds. Laney also gets honest about her goal-oriented, checklist mindset (raise your hand if you’re with me) and how it can unintentionally sap the joy from our homeschool days. There are plenty of practical ideas you can try today—whether your child needs a gentle push into creative writing, a safe space for self-expression, or just permission to…

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