BGAV Church Workday Education Conference: The Importance of Creativity in Early Learning Programs
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The information in these slides was shared by Amy Josephson, Education Manager from The Source for Learning, during the Baptist General Association of Virginia's (BGAV) Church Workday Education Conference in Stafford, Virginia on Saturday, September 21, 2019. The content reviews creativity process over product in early learning programs. Recognize the rationale for implementing developmentally appropriate creative experiences in the early years. Learn strategies and techniques to plan creative experiences based upon children's developmental needs to help them acquire essential skills. Gain an understanding of the fundamentals for applying these techniques to your work with young children.
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BGAV Church Workday Education Conference: The Importance of Creativity in Early Learning Programs
- 1. THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATIVITY IN EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS BGAV Church Weekday Education Conference September 21, 2019
- 2. The Source for Learning – ECE Initiatives Presenter Amy Josephson Education Manager, ECE Initiatives The Source for Learning Copyright © 2019 by The Source for Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 3. The Virginia Early Childhood Administrator Professional Credential (VA-ECAP) A N E W O N L I N E C R E D E N T I A L I N G P R O G R A M The program is a joint offering with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) that is recognized by NAEYC. Participants earn a combination of credit hours and CEUs. http://www.sourceforlearning.org/vaecap/Learn more:
- 4. F R E E E A R L Y C H I L D H O O D W E B I N A R S The Source for Learning makes it easy to connect to professional development through webinars designed to meet early childhood educator needs. Visit the link below to register for upcoming webinars and sign up to receive future announcements. https://www.sourceforlearning.org/ecei/page/webinarsLearn more: Webinars designed for Early Childhood Educators. View our upcoming webinars!
- 5. Today’s Objectives RECOGNIZE LEARN GAIN The rationale for implementing developmentally appropriate creative experiences in early years Strategies and techniques to plan creative experiences based upon children's developmental needs to help them acquire essential skills An understanding of the fundamentals for applying these techniques into your work with young children Copyright © 2019 by The Source for Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 6. Definition of Creativity A way of thinking and acting or making something that is original for the individual and valued by the person or others Mayesky, Mary, (2015). Creative Activities for Young Children, 11th edition. Delmar, Cenage Learning. Copyright © 2019 by The Source for Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 7. Types of Creativity Capital C Creativity Small c Creativity Mayesky, Mary, (2015). Creative Activities for Young Children, 11th edition. Delmar, Cenage Learning. Copyright © 2019 by The Source for Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 8. How Creativity Has Been Expressed Throughout History Since prehistoric time Represent experiences through different mediums (music, art, movement, storytelling, writing) Basic human characteristic Copyright © 2019 by The Source for Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 9. Positive Aspects of Creativity Determination Curiosity Intuition Willingness to take risks Copyright © 2019 by The Source for Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 10. How Children and Teachers Benefit From a Creative Environment Pride in Accomplishments Individuality Problem solving Acquisition of skills Copyright © 2019 by The Source for Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 11. Relationship Between Creativity and Curriculum All areas of curriculum Relaxed Classroom Environment Individual pace Copyright © 2019 by The Source for Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. Emphasis on process over product
- 12. Guidelines Turkey ArtMath Science Language Dramatic Play Social Studies Music Movement Copyright © 2019 by The Source for Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 13. Creative Learning Environment Considerations Developmental appropriateness Carefully selected materials Open-endedness Active learners Interactive Environment Reflect children’s interests Copyright © 2019 by The Source for Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 14. Differentiated Instruction In Activities Diverse children Differences in needs and learning styles Connection building curriculum Respectful environment Scaffolding Copyright © 2019 by The Source for Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
- 15. Lesson Plan Topics Food Copyright © 2019 by The Source for Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. Animals Professions Money Transportation Weather
- 16. 1 The Source for Learning – ECE Initiatives Resources 2 3 4 Mayesky, Mary, (2015). Creative Activities for Young Children, 11th edition. Delmar, Cenage Learning. Dodge, Diane Trister, Colker, Laura J.,EdD, Heroman, Cate, and Bikart, Toni S., (2010). The Creative Curriculum for Preschool: The Foundation, vol.1. Teaching Strategies https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/nov2017/creativity-throughout-day Copyright © 2019 by The Source for Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pd/online-learning/hot-creativity
- 17. 1 The Source for Learning – ECE Initiatives Resources 2 3 4 https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/supporting-development-creativity https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/books/expressing-creativity https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/tyc/feb2019/supporting-creativity-exploration Copyright © 2019 by The Source for Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/books/excerpt-from-nurturing-creativity
- 18. ? Need to connect with with us? Questions? Email: ece-pd@sflinc.org www.sourceforlearning.org/ecei
Editor's Notes
- Please fill out the sign-up sheet with your contact information in order to get an electronic version of today’s session presentation. We also have aprons for you. Since we are a non-profit, we need to keep records of the numbers of people we are serving. Here is the topic of today’s session.
- Give my introduction. I am currently the Education Manager at Source for Learning with a broad background working with children in a variety of settings. I am currently the VA-ECAP instructor at SFL and a professor of child development at Northern Virginia Community College.
- Promo- VAECAP slide. This is NAEYC recognized credential program offered in Virginia for people who are interested in becoming administrators or want to learn more about running an early childhood program. It is an online program made up of two community college courses and two SFL courses. You can receive 6 credits for the community college courses and 72 clock hours and CEU’s for participation in the credential. Here is the website if you want to find out more about it.
- Promo slide – WEBINAR: We offer free webinars on different early childhood topics that you can either participate in live (usually during naptime at ECE programs) or watch later at your convenience. We archive the webinars, so you can see them later if you are unable to watch them live. Here is the link to the webinar information/registration.
- Today we will be discussing creativity/process over product at ECE programs. Here are the objectives we will be covering today.
- Let’s start by defining “creativity.” Here is the definition of creativity. There are actually two types of creativity.
- Capital C Creativity: involves bringing into existence something genuinely new that receives social validation enough to be added to culture. An example would be a computer. Small c Creativity: involves ideas or products that are new to the person but only the person. An example would be a homemade quilt. Now I am going to present some items at your tables and ask you to discuss whether they are examples of Capital C creativity or small c creativity. I’ll give you a few minutes. (Capital C: I phone, metronome, Mario Kart game, light bulb), (Small c): Homemade basket, bead necklace, blanket, clay turtle, etc)
- Creativity is not a new concept. Since prehistoric times (cave paintings) human beings have shown creativity with the materials available to them. People have desired to share and represent their experiences through music, art, and dance. See prehistoric cave painting and Picasso painting. Mozart and Elton John, Isadora Duncan and J Lo Creativity appears to be a basic human characteristic.
- Describe Steve Jobs, P.T Barnum (Greatest Showman), Walt Disney Steve Jobs example: determination, curiosity about tinkering with tool box in father’s garage, intuition about home computers, and took risks in investing time, money and resources on computers when everyone doubted him and ultimately was determined to succeed in his business despite all obstacles.
- These characteristics of creativity are a benefit to children and teachers. Problem solving: this involves open-mindedness, thinking outside of the box: Children can problem solve as they are completing a task and exploring their environment. Teachers can problem solve to create lessons that can best accommodate children’s needs. create (Steve Jobs home computer, Queen Bohemian Rhapsody song) Skill building: Children build skills as they are manipulating things in their environment and teachers build skills by trying out new lesson plans and activities. (Magic/card player Shin Lin (America’s Got Talent), Individuality: Children have a unique style that is easily recognizable. Teachers also have memorable styles of teaching that make them stand out. (uniqueness {Adele sound and own style{Picasso modern art abstract paintings}) Pride in accomplishments: children and teachers are proud of what achieved with all the hard work, creativity and effort which affects self-esteem. This brings us to ECE settings: ***Teachers and children benefit from this open-endedness of lesson planning and activities for teachers and for children when they are using materials in their environment. This makes for an accepting, positive environment for everyone that values independence, free thinking, and individualism.
- Based on this rationale, all disciplines (subjects) should incorporate creativity. Children learn by doing in an active, tactile way and at an individual pace based on their individual strengths and needs. Encouragement from teachers, self-direction and facilitation are needed. Enthusiasm when introducing materials and praise for effort can encourage children. Process should be the focus over product. Techniques can be demonstrated, but not models. For example, as a teacher you can show children how to combine clay by pressing them together without presenting a model. Reinforcement of actions over the final product (being non-judgmental) are necessary. For example, “I like the way you are making zig zag lines for your sky”, rather than “I think you made a beautiful picture.” Classrooms should be relaxed to allow for creativity. (Example high noise levels and messes can occur within limits to promote creativity). This brings us to a tool that teachers can use to plan an interdisciplinary creative lesson plan: This is called a web chart.
- Here is a visual way of organizing a lesson around a theme. The incorporation of disciplines and creativity are emphasized in the learning process. I will give an example to share with the participants. Turkey is our theme. Art: create a turkey using materials including a pine cone, feathers, glue and pipe cleaners. Language: read a book about turkeys Science: learn how turkeys survive, what they eat, where they sleep, how they defend themselves, etc.. Dramatic Play: act out being a turkey Movement: strut like a turkey Music: sing “Turkey in the Straw” Social Studies: Learn about customs, traditions and holidays, learn why we traditionally eat turkey on Thanksgiving Math: count turkeys
- Curriculum should entail the listed qualities. Developmental appropriateness and carefully selected materials: Make sure your activities and materials are not too difficult or simple for children’s needs, age and abilities. For example 2 year olds wouldn’t use scissors but you could show them how to tear paper with their fingers to cut it. Open-endedness: without modeling as we discussed, children can do multiple things with materials that allows them to be creative. Active learners: You don’t want to have children sit all day. What happens when this occurs? Children get restless, act out, and be tired. They learn best by actively engaging in their environment. Otherwise they don’t take in as much if they are passively taking in information. Interactive environment: Throughout this process, there should be constant communication to facilitate and enhance the learning. Reflect children’s interests: At the beginning of the school year, I would have the parents fill out a survey listing their children’s interests. The more children like something, the more they will pay attention, and thereby retain the information. For example, if you find out the child loves ballerinas, you can incorporate that into your lessons.
- Children at same age are different in their interests, styles of learning, readiness to learn, experiences, and life circumstances. The differences can affect the pace, material, and support they need from teachers. Please consider the following when creating lesson plans/activities: Diversity: For example, some children are from the city and some are from rural areas which can impact and affect their experiences and learning. Individual Needs: Some children may have special needs which require accommodations (scaffolding). Example; puzzles can have handles for children with fine motor delays. Individual Learning Styles: Visual, auditory and tactile learners, different multiple intelligences. Our web chart addresses this issue since it is multi-disciplinary. Connection building curriculum: Children learn best by making connections between the curriculum with their life experiences. Therefore universal themes like family, transportation, weather, holidays, and animals are topics that all children relate to, and connect with regardless of where they are from. Open-ended, respectful environment: Emphasizing process over product can help achieve this environment. Children learn best when learning is natural and they are respected in a community environment. Scaffolding: Teachers need to maximize children’s learning capacity. Challenge children at their individual levels so that they don’t feel overwhelmed or bored. ***Now I am going to give you a topic and have you design a lesson plan by utilizing the web chart diagram and considering the things we discussed.
- Here are possible lesson plan topics. Please select a topic of your choice and work with others in designing a lesson plan by incorporating creative multi-disciplinary hands-on activities at your program. Please use the web chart as a guide for this activity and be ready to share with the whole group.
- Here are the references used for this presentation. You are welcome to review them as you prepare creative activities in your early learning programs.
- Here are the references used for this presentation. You are welcome to review them as you prepare creative activities in your early learning programs.
- Does anybody have any final questions before we conclude the session?