Principle 6
Creative and imaginative learning facilitators are important.
Parents and teachers act as the key role in enhancing children’s learning experiences in the early years. In IOP, we believe creative and imaginative early years learning facilitators are those who
1. Exhibit an attitude that promotes creativity in preschool. The type of attitude that is most conducive to bringing out creativity in children has the following characteristics:
2. Conduct activities that help children develop creativity.
3. Avoid things that are proven to stifle creativity.
Parents and teachers act as the key role in enhancing children’s learning experiences in the early years. In IOP, we believe creative and imaginative early years learning facilitators are those who
1. Exhibit an attitude that promotes creativity in preschool. The type of attitude that is most conducive to bringing out creativity in children has the following characteristics:
- Present problems with multiple solutions, as opposed to 1 "right" answer. A preschool curriculum for developing creativity should include open-ended problems with the potential for many creative solutions. For example, rather than ask what color an object is, ask how many objects can be found for a colour.
- Allow flexibility in interpreting instructions, as opposed to a enforcing strict methodology. For example, rather than tell preschoolers how to complete a project in step-by-step format, give them all of the project materials and ask them to figure out how to put it together.
- Encourage imaginative play. Preschool curriculum should not be regimented, but instead should allow children to create their own play games and follow their impulses.
- Maintain an attitude of non-judgment. The critical examination of a child's ideas should be encouraged, no matter how far out or unrealistic those ideas may seem. Additionally, original and creative ideas should be acknowledged with positive regard.
- Praise the creativity and methods used during the execution of a task, as opposed to praising only the completed project.
- Ask a lot of questions. Probe preschoolers for explanations as they engage in creative play, and encourage them to elaborate.
- Provide choices. Encourage children to provide input about what they want to do and how they want to do it.
2. Conduct activities that help children develop creativity.
- Brainstorming games are a great way to bring out creativity in children. Some examples of brainstorming games include: telling children to describe what they would do if they were in a different time/place, asking them to tell a story using only gestures and taking turns building a story - 1 sentence at a time, per student.
- Art projects should be an integral part of the preschool curriculum - not just considered recess or play time. Allow children to choose from the classroom stock of materials, and to have free creative reign when engaging in art time.
3. Avoid things that are proven to stifle creativity.
- Reward systems. Studies show that, when children expect to earn rewards for "correct" answers or "good" behavior, they actually modify their behavior in a way that restricts their ability to think creatively and uniquely.
- Expectations. Letting children know before they complete a project that they will be judged or graded for their work limits creativity in preschool settings.
- Observation. When children are being watched as they work, they are less likely to express uninhibited creativity.