Cypop 7 - Promote Creativity and Creative Learning in Young Children

Analyse the differences between creative learning and creativity Creative learning is about how children are actively involved in their own learning and their ability to make choices and decisions. This can be achieved by providing a creative environment, allowing exploration through play and praising the child’s creative efforts. Creative learning is about helping children develop imaginative thinking through exploration of materials, objects and problem solving skills like ICT. It is also about giving children opportunities to make connections between different areas and to relate to them.

Some creative learning activities may be goal orientated like the goal is to make any painting they like, but the child will also be exploring the different colours given to them;

to paint like colours can be mixed to make another colour. This activity will also help the child in other areas of learning too. Creative learning is about children using their mind to solve problems. Creativity is about risk taking and making connections, allowing children to explore and express themselves through a variety of media and materials.

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Like through dance, music, making things and drawing. A child being creative is linked to play and can develop through a child being engaged in their own actions and ideas. Creativity consists of traditional arts and the development of imagination and imaginative play, like role play and small world play. Creativity is about exploring emotions and expressions; also is about enjoying creativity and learning from the process. Creativity links to creative development areas of the learning from the EYFS.

Explain current theoretical approaches to creativity and creative learning in early childhood There are many theoretical approaches to creativity and creative learning these are nature verses nurture this could mean that people are born with it or they learn it from life or other people. Some people believe that children will learn from watching other people this is called role modelling. Many may believe that creativity is a progress, this means that creativity will follow a pattern to make it happen, this will also help to build upon skills that will occur. Nature versus nurture is a debate in the area of psychology. In terms of children’s creativity, some think children are born naturally creative, for example having a gift for music or having a creative personality. This is known as the "nature" theory. Others believe creativity is something that can be taught. This is known as the "nurture" theory.

The cultural approach means that every child will be creative so many things will affect this. As practitioners you have to give the child the right environment that will help children to explore and be creative with how they want to be. Cognitive theories is when children make relations between different things, this theory look at how the brain puts things together, lots of opportunities need to be provided for the child to develop knowledge in lots of different areas, and so that they can draw on their own views and experiences. Some theorists such as Robert Sternberg and Howard Gardener argue that being able to make new connections and to create a drawing from them is a type of intelligence. The ‘Creative Partnerships’ programme was set up in 2002 by the government in response to the influential report ‘all our futures’. They use the term ‘creative learning’ to try and sum up their education programme. They believe creative partnerships can help free the creativity of everyone involved by engaging them in fresh approaches to learning through partnership. They feel collaborative working has these key characteristics;

• Motivation for learning
• Bringing the curriculum to life
• Greater involvement in decision making
• New ways for learners to engage in a subject

The Qualifications Curriculum Assessment (QCA: Creativity, Find It and Promote It 2005), promotes creativity as an vital part of all national curriculum subjects and identifies characteristics of creative learning as;

• Questioning and challenging conventions and assumptions
• Making imaginative connections and associating things that aren’t usually related
• Visualizing what might be: imagining seeing things in mind’s eye
• Trying alternative and fresh approaches, keeping options open
• Reflecting critically on ideas, action and outcomes

These characteristics and abilities have shown to lead to a sense of purpose, achievement of strengths, talents and interests, self-respect and a sense of belonging.

Critically analyse how creativity and creative learning can support young children’s emotional, social, intellectual, communication and physical development Creativity and creative learning can support children’s development in a number of ways. Emotionally they learn how to manage frustration if something is not going to plan and they feel happy and proud and a sense of achievement when something is completed by them. Socially children can build up self-confidence by working with others or alongside them; to make something to share with everyone and the child also makes new friends. Intellectually children learn about problem solving, numeracy and developing their reading and writing skills. Children’s capability to communicate with peers and adults develops through creative play as well as their overall speech and listening skills.

Physically, creativity can help develop fine motor skills by children using materials such as crayons, paints and sticking. Participating in movement activities such as dance or drama (role play) also improves the child’s overall physical development. Like during a cooking activity children are learning many skills through this creative process, they may feel happy and excited about making their own food. They are sociable by working with adults to support them and cooking for their friends or family members. By following instructions either written or verbal and measuring quantities they are developing intellectually.

Knowing when to ask for help and starting a conversation around what they are doing and using can help develop their communication skills especially listening and taking direction. Finally all the mixing, chopping, kneading and picking up small cut up pieces, help the child develop physically developing the fine motor skills, hand eye co-ordination and building hand and arm muscles. The EYFS ensures that creativity and critical thinking are developed through play- based learning across the curriculum, and that children learn in an environment encouraging exploration and active and playful learning. It reflects the viewpoint that play offers significant benefits for children’s cognitive, emotional, social and physical development and is central to creativity.