CHAPTER 15: Nurturing the Development of the Creative Self The Whole Child: Developmental Education for the Early Years Tenth Edition Patricia Weissman Joanne Hendrick

What is Creativity? Four Essential Components of the Creative Process Fluency Flexibility Originality 4. Elaboration

The Importance of Creativity Creativity Supports Emotional Development Helps Children Express Their Emotions Helps Develop Multiple Intelligences How Teachers Can Help Encourage Children to Express Their Feelings Through Creative Activities In Discussing Children’s Work, Ask How They Felt Play Different Types of Mood Music And Discuss

The Importance of Creativity Creativity Supports Social Development Creativity is Often a Social Act for Children Helps Develop Multiple Intelligences How Teachers Can Help Encourage Children to Work in Pairs or Small Groups Discuss Children’s Creative Ideas With Others Display Children’s Work Together, Encourage Critiquing

The Importance of Creativity Creativity Supports Physical Development Creativity Develops Fine Motor Skills Creativity Develops Large Motor Skills The Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence

The Importance of Creativity Creativity Supports Language and Literacy Development Combine Verbal Story Telling With Artistic Creation Encourage Children to Work Together and Language Will Flow Incorporate Listening and Music Activities Ask Open-Ended Questions About Children’s Creative Work Offer Tools and Materials to Develop Eye-Hand Coordination

The Importance of Creativity Creativity Supports Cognitive Development Creativity Enhances Mathematics Learning Creativity Enhances Science Learning How Teachers Can Help Discuss Physical Properties of Creative Materials and How They Change to Support Physics Learning Respect Children’s Ideas Value Divergent Thinking Encourage Children to Explore, Experiment, Make Mistakes

The Stages of Development in Children’s Creativity Exploration of Materials More Interested in the Material Itself and Investigating Its Properties Use All Their Senses to Manipulate and Explore Materials and Tools Nonrepresentational Stage More Skill in Using Tools and Materials More Seeming Design and Intention but Not Clear Symbols Refrain From Asking, “What is it?” Representational Stage Deliberate Attempts to Create Something Specific Peak Period Between 4 and 6 Years

Implications for Teachers in Nurturing Children’s Creativity Allow Countless Opportunities for Creative Experiences and Exploration Focus on Process Not Product Use Lots of Self-Expressive Materials to Foster the Creative Self Remember to Make Self-Expressive Opportunities Available for Children with Disabilities

Implications for Teachers in Nurturing Children’s Creativity Remember to Make Self-Expressive Opportunities Available for Children with Disabilities Provides Opportunity to Take Control, Make Choices, and Experience Success Foster an Appreciation of Beauty Children’s Center Should be Their Special Place Display Children’s Work in an Attractive Way