This document discusses fostering creativity in children through curriculum. It emphasizes that creativity can be expressed in many ways and should be nourished accordingly. The importance of play in developing creativity is highlighted. Theories of art development and factors that influence creativity are also examined.

1. Fostering Creativity Creative Development Through the Curriculum

2. Overview Creativity can be expressed in many modes and should be nourished accordingly. Basic principles of creativity are explored and the use of self-expressive materials are discussed. The importance of play in fostering creativity is emphasized in order to deepen student’s understanding of the significance of play and to equip student’s with information so you can defend the value of play when challenged.

3. Objectives This unit will Explain why creativity is so valuable in the life of children and why it is so important to nurture it Provide general recommendations about how to enhance creativity Provide a wealth of reasons why play is essential in fostering the development of all selves of the child Recommend general ways teachers can support and extend creative play Provide practical suggestions for the development of play

4. What is Creativity? Measures of Creativity Divergent thinking the act of expanding or elaborating on an idea, such as brainstorming Convergent thinking The act of narrowing many ideas into a single, focused point Fluency The ability to generate many relevant ideas on a given topic in a limited time Flexibility The capability of adapting readily to change in a positive, productive manner Sensitivity A receptivity to external and internal stimuli. Creative people have a heightened awareness of their world, their perceptions, feelings, and images.

5. Multiple Intelligences Click on the following links for an explanation of multiple intelligences Learning Through Many Kinds of Intelligence Multiple Intelligences

6. The Process of Creativity: Attitudes That Encourage Creativity Experimentation Enjoyment of the sensory experience Communication Reliving experiences Working out fears

7. Theories of Art Development Psychoanalytic theory: art is an expression of the unconscious and can be interpreted to give insight into the child’s personality or emotional state Perceptual theory: suggests that a drawing will focus on what the child perceives as the most important feature Cognitive theory: assumes children draw what they know Scribbling stage; preschematic stage; schematic stage

8. Development of Young Children’s Art Developmental theory: children's art ability develops through a series of universal stages, and that adult intervention or direct teaching can adversely affect the development. Rhoda Kellog Basic scribbling: 2 year olds. 20 kinds of markings Placement patterns: 17 ways in which the picture is framed or placed on the paper Diagrams (shapes): by age 3. Combines ( 2 diagrams put together), and aggregates (combination of 3 or more diagrams) Pictorialism: between the ages of 4-5 Figure 9-1

9. Art Activities Two dimensional graphic arts Drawing, painting, printmaking Three dimensional modeling arts Play dough, clay, collages, woodworking

10. Music Music, as a process-rather than a product oriented activity allows for creative expression, develops children’s aesthetic sense, and provides an enjoyable way of introducing concepts and skills. It is also a way to support and learn about children's culture and ethnic groups.

11. Four Components of Music in ECE Programs Listening Singing Playing musical instruments Movement and music Click on the following link to find some music activities for young children Music Education for Young Children--Songs and Music Games

12. Factors that Decrease Creativity Atmospheres that promote racial, cultural, stereotype or limit ideas Showing models of art work where children are expected to replicate the example deters them from expressing their own individuality. Who says a tree can’t be purple? Toys that leave nothing to the imagination: closed-ended types of toys