Creativity

Creativity

What does the term “creativity” mean to you? Unfortunately, many adults don’t apply the terms “creative” or “creativity” to themselves. As adults, we let the voices of others affect our views of self.

On the other hand, children are creative from birth. They want to explore and experiment without adult interference (or preconceived ideas of the correct way to be creative.) Young children want to express themselves. Throughout childhood, creativity is either nurtured or diminished.

Many early childhood educators associate creativity with the visual arts (painting, drawing, etc.). Most programs offer children activities that focus on the visual arts. What happens with other forms of creativity?

What about music? Listening to music is valuable, but do the children in your care have the opportunity to create music? Are the children exposed to music from other cultures?

Do you provide open-ended dress-up materials that encourage fashion design? What about supporting young children’s verbal creativity- making up words, creating stories & plays or sharing poems? By offering a diverse range of creative opportunities, you can help children explore and express their creativity in various ways.

Children are creative thinkers! They have incredible imaginations, which they use in their play to innovate and use materials in new and different ways. They are always coming up with new ways to solve problems.

Even if you don’t necessarily see yourself as creative, you can spend time observing and supporting the creativity of the young children in your care. They just need you to recognize and value their unique expression of creativity.

Here are a few reflection questions to ask yourself:

• What does the word “creativity” make you think of? What is its place in the curriculum?

• What forms of creativity does your program promote? What other creative opportunities would the children benefit from?

• How do young children (under 3) demonstrate creativity?

• What are some examples of children using their imagination to come up with new ways to use materials?

• If you view the arts as forms of communication, does that expand your idea of what creativity is?