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

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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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