The differences between formal and informal creative activities including examples of each Formal Creative activities-Adult led with a direct outcome and learning aim such as setting up a cooking activity so they can learn how to bake a cake. This is adult led and directed to a certain creative outcome. Informal creative activities- Child’s own choice or decision like they want to do drawing or painting child led activities. If a child sees some paper and leaves they may get the idea to do a collage, which is child led and the process is also decided by them.
An analysis of the differences between creative learning and creativity Creativity is when you use original ideas and thoughts to make or do something creative. Creative learning is where you are led with someone else’s ideas for a creative activity that you take part in learning. Learning to be creative through the use of someone else’s creativity. A child needs help to be creative in thinking so creative learning through the creativity of a practitioner helps develop and stimulate and child’s creative development. A child may at first follow the instructions of a creative activity but then divert to their own way of the activity encouraging independent thinking and imagination.
The evidence showing the benefits of creativity on child welfare Psychologists believe that play is a way for children to elevate stress and overcoming emotional problems. It is also vital for growth and development of children and this is the main way they learn and develop. Creativity is a form of self-expression allowing children to flourish in their own individual way. The freedom of creativity allows children to create something that was all their work and thinking, which can boost self-esteem and most certainly their creative and personal development. Child welfare increases if a child uses their creativity freely as creative activities ect help promote other areas of learning.
A child may find it hard to say their feelings, so drawing a picture of it may ease their tension and get through how they are feeling and what’s on their minds. This is used in play therapy and counselling with children. Children that may have problems at home that may limit the decision and opportunities to speak freely can be helped through creative processes. So they can feel free in making choices and decisions creatively that is theirs to show, making them develop self esteem and image.
With a creative activity that a child does through its own creative processes completely child led. A child can enjoy the process of their creative thinking as well as the end result, this is completely in their control and independent processes. A child is happy when they are becoming independent beings and developing themselves through their own learning styles and creative thinking is essential in developing and finding out themselves as individual and unique beings.
The approaches and theories of creative development L. S. Vygotsky's Theory of Creative Imagination said that creativity is goal directed and a culturally mediated psychological system that is from the internalisation of children’s play and they’re thinking concepts. He also says that imagination stems from play itself and not before play. So for children to use their imagination they must play so they can use this to stimulate their imaginative development. He thought that imagination through creative thinking helps children see sense in the world they live in.
Piaget has a theory on a child’s creative thinking, which is that children use it as symbols of things that aren’t there. For example a child would use a piece of paper as a hat this would represent a hat but isn’t there. Like they would represent a sad face as a time when they were sad because their mum wasn’t there. Their use of symbols helps them to explain situations and times that aren’t actually there.
Messy play is important is a way of play that develops many skills that a child is developing. An example of this would be with play dough, where a child develops their fine motor skills by manipulating the play dough. Furthermore they are learning about different textures and materials, and letting them use their creativity by making shapes and objects ect. Messy play has endless benefits for children in all areas, so should time for this in every nursery and school where a child can fully use their imagination and creative skills.
The potential benefits different types of creative activity: Writing - Improving a child’s fine motor skills, learning a different form of communication. They can express themselves through writing short stories ect to improve creative imagination. Active -Learn using different materials and different equipment to develop ict skills and physical skills such as small and gross motor developmental skills. Thinking activities e.g. chess, computer games- Improves problem solving with children like in chess the next move, thinking ahead techniques. Overall ICT skills and computer skills. Shared, group and solitary activities -If they do group creative activities then they will improve communication skills and working as a team which they will need later on in life. Solitary activities will promote problem solving skills and the ability to work on your own initiative.
The importance of encouraging children to recognise and value creativity If children recognise the importance that creativity has on their lives then they will be able to use it more in everyday life. For example being creative doesn’t necessarily mean that you sit down and do a painting it could be cooking a meal from your own initiative not following a cookbook. The more praise a child gets for using their creativity the more they will feel independent and valued for using it. Overall if children use their creativity is enables them to use their imagination to express themselves in many ways.
The importance of encouraging carers to support creative activities By Parents encouraging and supporting creative activities, they are modelling the way in which they want their children to use their imagination and creativity. Giving children the ability to see how imagination and creative work can also be produced in adult life giving them something to strive for.
The importance of spending creative time with children and the benefits that can be seen If you spend time with children using creative thinking and using their ideas, they will learn to appreciate their own initiative and ideas they put forward. Children learn everything they do through creative play in a holistic way that produces development in fine and gross motor skills, knowledge an understanding of different materials and many other areas.
The reasons why children need extended and unhurried periods to develop creativity Unhurried periods of creative activities allow the children the chance to feel free and develop their skills and express themselves in their own time. These are all child led activities, which allow the child to do what they wish without time constraints or other people’s influences. Every child’s learning style is unique, the only way a child can develop this is creative play on their own in unhurried periods to develop their creativity.
