Creativity in Young Children

Creativity begins early in life. It is amazing to see how young children show unique ways to express themselves and manipulate things in their environment. Creativity is generally seen as the ability to see things and think in a different manner.

Young children use creativity in many ways and it is vital for their development and learning. They manipulate toys, explore space, and even solve problems. It involves children initiating their own learning and making choices and decisions. It encourages children to express themselves freely. Most importantly it fosters their sense of self.

Creativity is always thought of as a medium to explore art materials such as crayons, paint and play dough. It is however not limited to art and craft only. Creativity emerges as children explore their own ideas; express themselves through music, movement, and imaginative play.

Creativity takes different forms. It can be explored in different areas of learning.

Creative Music and Movement

It involves the way children explore sound, movement and music. Musical creativity can be fostered by listening to different music, singing, playing different musical instruments. Along with providing children different opportunities to explore music, children can be provided opportunities for creative movement. It is a joyful way for children to develop physical and sensorial skills. It involves physical activity. Children can be provided different kinds of props such as streamers, ribbons etc to use while they move to music. Allow children to dance using different props on different kinds of music, or practice simple athletics, etc.

Creativity and Art
 
Creative art involves providing children opportunities to work with colour, paint, crayons, play dough, different textured materials etc. Use materials such as paper, crayons, markers, pencils, chld safe scissors, paint, play dough, collage materials (scrap paper, wool, lace, ribbon, large buttons, etc.). It is important to allow children to explore these materials the way they wish to. Encourage children to describe their creative work.

Creativity and Play

Play is vital for children’s healthy development. During play children express themselves creatively when they use play materials in unusual ways, they engage in imaginative play and role-playing. Children develop and build their imagination through role-plays, stories etc. Provide children different play materials for them to explore.

The art of creativity is vital in the development of children. It helps children develop and explore a variety of ideas and concepts and at the same time it is fun for children.

To encourage creativity

• Allow the child to explore without any restrictions

• Provide children with positive encouragement

• Emphasize on the process rather than product

• Accept children’s ideas as they are

• Provide children with different kinds of materials

• Give children enough time to explore

• Provide a playful environment