Why creativity?

Why make spaces for creativity?

Creativity isn't just about art and craft. We can be creative in the language we use, the sounds we make, the clothes we wear, the way we dance. But we can also be creative in the way we think. In fact, anyone can be creative even if they can't paint, dance or sing.

We can use creativity to solve problems and think of new ways to deal with challenges. We can use creative role-play to widen our horizons and creative thinking is an important part of science and maths.

Creativity is more to do with a process than a product. What a child produces isn't as important as the thinking that went on as it was created. Sometimes there won't even be an end product to a creative process.

Creativity is part of every area of the curriculum and all areas of learning have the potential to be creative experiences. The creative process which includes curiosity, exploration, play and creativity, is as applicable to Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Communication, Language and Literacy; Mathematical Development; Knowledge and Understanding of the World and Physical Development as it is to art, music, dance and imaginative play.

Supporting Creativity and Imagination in the Early Years, Duffy B., 2004

Why is creativity important?

Being creative helps us to adapt and respond to a rapidly changing world. We don’t know the challenges that the children we work with will grow up to face, but we do know that for them to meet these challenges they will need to be creative and imaginative.

Why make spaces for creativity?

Children are naturally creative but we need to help them to develop this creativity. One way to do this is to transform the space they play and learn in, so that children are inspired by their surroundings to engage in creative activity.

Hands-on, sensory spaces encourage children to experience new things and give them the opportunity to play and learn at their own pace, and in their own way. By letting the children direct their own activities they become more confident about their own creativity, and value it more.

This guide will help you to make exciting spaces for children that will allow their creativity to flourish.