Creativity

Thinking of new ideas that have value. Using our initiative, experimenting, taking risks, innovating, making links and problem solving.

‘Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected’ William Plower

‘Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties’ Eric Fromm

‘Creativity is the process of having original ideas which have value’ Ken Robinson

Creativity is characterised by the ability to perceive the world in new ways, to find hidden patterns, to make connections between seemingly unrelated phenomena, and to generate solutions. Creativity involves two processes: thinking, then producing.

Children start learning even before they are born. No wonder parents are called children's first teachers! Parents make a powerful difference in what children learn and how they think – so spark your kids’ creativity by encouraging their curiosity, using common everyday experiences to inspire new ideas, building their confidence and using their art to spark conversations.

Encourage curiosity. Ask questions.

Children are naturally curious. Children know instinctively to ask questions. Children often ask better questions than adults. Listen and build on their curiosity. Continue to inspire their imagination with simple questions, while encouraging them to think of the answers or solutions. Ask your child to imagine and wonder, “What if?” “What if you could have a dinosaur as a pet?” “What if we took a vacation on another planet?”

Weave creativity into common everyday experiences.

Creativity can happen anywhere. Use common everyday experiences to teach creativity – in the car, on a walk or when you’re cooking together.

Build their confidence

When children are encouraged to look at things in many ways and believe in their ideas, it gives them the confidence to express what they’re thinking. Encourage your children to take the lead in coming up with new ideas. If they ask you to “make it for them,” reply that you’d love to see what they create. Children’s fresh and unique styles should be valued. Use any moment as a teachable opportunity to stretch your child’s thinking and encourage their creative expression. Support your child’s interests. Stretch what they know or know how to do.

‘Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rule, making mistakes and having fun’ Mary Lou Cook.

‘Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things that you can think if only you try’ Dr Seuss

‘Clean out a corner of your mind and creativity will instantly fill it’ Dee Hock

‘Creativity takes courage’ Henry Matisse

‘Creativity is intelligence having fun’ Albert Einstein

1. Main Reference Source :-

Creative Parenting – Crayola [http://www.crayola.co.uk/for-educators/resources-landing/parents-and-teachers-as-partners-landing/creative-parenting.aspx]

2. Other References :-

Creativity at Work [http://www.creativityatwork.com/2014/02/17/what-is-creativity/]

TED Talks – Ken Robinson – ‘Do Schools Kill Creativity’

[https://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity]

TED Talks – The Creative Spark (7 speakers)

[https://www.ted.com/playlists/11/the_creative_spark]

TED Talks – Where do ideas come from (9 speakers)

[https://www.ted.com/playlists/20/where_do_ideas_come_from]

Guardian article by Ken Robinson [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/may/17/to-encourage-creativity-mr-gove-understand]

Guardian article by Tham Kai Meng [https://www.theguardian.com/media-network/2016/may/18/born-creative-educated-out-of-us-school-business]