How to Stop Killing Creativity in Your Homeschool: A Conversation with the 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 invent the next great “kickboxing tiger.” Yes, that’s a thing!

Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll learn:

• Why writing is so dang hard for kids (it’s not just them!)
• The age when children typically get self-conscious… and what to do about it
• How creative expression anchors real confidence—not just loud “look at me” energy
• The surprising link between storytelling, play, and long-lasting self-awareness
• Tips for helping both wildly imaginative and “black-and-white thinker” kids get unstuck
• New ways to use character-building (without forcing kids to produce yet another story)
• How to leverage positive peer feedback—even when you’re homeschooling solo
• The difference between praise-based confidence (“Good job!”) and skills-based confidence (the kind that actually lasts)

Resources Mentioned:

• Night Zookeeper program
• Sir Ken Robinson (on creativity)
• Homeschool Better Together’s Language Arts Together program

Your Next Steps:

• Check out Night Zookeeper for a playful, confident approach to writing
• Try building writing sessions around character creation—or let kids expand on their favorite movie/book character adventures
• Embrace “imperfect” creative sessions—sometimes that wild made-up word is the best thing your family will remember

Ready for more encouragement and practical tools? Join our free homeschool community.

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/stop-killing-creativity