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Taking a fresh look at the role of creativity within the early years, this accessible guide explores what is meant by creativity and considers how creative skills, behaviours and thinking can be identified and fostered in the individual child. Chapters illustrate how creative attitudes can be adopted in all subject areas.
Creativity is firmly embedded in curricular, exam and inspection schemes. Focusing on children aged three to eight, this book discusses the teaching of creativity, explaining the implications for practice, theory and policy, through a consideration of pedagogy, curriculum, learning and assessment.
Taking a fresh look at the role of creativity within the early years, this accessible guide explores what is meant by creativity and considers how creative skills, behaviours, and thinking can be identified and fostered in the individual child. Underpinned by the latest research and policy, chapters illustrate how creative attitudes can be adopted in all subject areas, and opportunities for creativity maximised. Creative Learning in the Early Years acknowledges the power of creative processes in helping children reach their full potential in the early years and beyond. Photocopiable work tools enable the reader to plan, observe, assess, and record progress as they develop playful and creative approaches, whilst practical advice and demonstrable examples are easily integrated into existing practice. Topics addressed include: recognising and encouraging creative tendencies stimulating the child’s imagination developing adult creativity and self-awareness creating enabling environments and creative spaces using documentation and planning to inspire creativity. An exciting and accessible guide which encourages exploration, experimentation, reflection, and development, Creative Learning in the Early Years will support current and future early years practitioners as they discover the rich opportunities opened by creative practice.
Reviews of the first edition “In addition to expected information about developmental stages and caregiver response, Duffy discusses diversity and accessibility issues that affect children’s response to opportunities to express their creativity … an admirably detailed guide to creativity for persons involved in caring for young children.†Education Review “The strength of Bernadette Duffy’s book is her ability to share through tables, examples, theory and reflections her deep understanding of children’s creative process…†Montessori International Magazine Learning through the arts has the potential to stimulate open ended activity that encourages discovery, exploration, experimentation and invention, thus contributing to children’s development in all areas of learning and helping to make the curriculum meaningful to them. Bernadette Duffy draws on her extensive experience of promoting young children's creativity and imagination to examine how visual representations, music, dance, imaginative play and drama can enable children to express their feelings, thoughts and responses. She highlights examples of good practice and provides practical guidance for those working with young children in a variety of settings, including home, school and centre-based care. Updated throughout, this second edition considers creativity and imagination in the light of contemporary initiatives such as Every Child Matters, Birth to Three Matters, Sure Start and the Foundation Stage curriculum. Supporting Creativity and Imagination in the Early Yearsis essential reading for early years practitioners and students, as well as anyone who delights in young children's learning and development and wants to explore new ways of supporting it.
'An excellent resource for all those working with young children... jam-packed with exciting, inspirational activities that encourage young children to nurture their creativity and imagination while helping practitioners to facilitate what children do naturally... It is a book that celebrates and encourages original thought and action to support learning through exploration and investigation, recognising that creativity is about representing one's own image and not reproducing someone else's' - Early Years Educator '[I]nspirational... This book is easy to read, refreshing and exciting, and I would recommend it to all those working with young children. It is also useful for students, clearly articulating the reasons for providing well-organised child-initiated creative opportunities rather than adult-directed activities' - Nursery World It is an interesting and informative manual aimed at those who work with children in the 3-5 years age range, and is therefore most suited to anyone in a Pre-School or Day Nursery setting, and could also be valuable to a Reception Teacher...over all, I found this to be a very useful book'. - National Childminding Association Packed full of exciting ideas and powerful visual aids, this book will help those working with young children to encourage and nurture their creativity and imagination. The book takes examples of what has worked in an early years setting, and transfers these inspirational activities onto the page. The book includes: " practical activities in Art, Dance and Music and ideas on how to link them together; " advice on how to make the most of music, lighting, space and nursery resources; " showing how the work supports the Foundation Stage Curriculum; " ideas for cross-curricular work; " suggestions for recording children's progress; " advice on how to choose materials, and a list of specialist suppliers. Everyone involved in working with young children should read this book. Nursery practitioners, early years teachers, Sure Start workers, play workers and Children's Centre staff will find it an invaluable resource. It is also useful for specialist staff in hospitals and other areas of health. For resources, useful hints and tips, and samlpe materials, visit the companion website here!
The creativity of children and the adults in their lives is explored here with particular reference to engagement, the learning environment, the arts, technology and global trends.
This accessible and practical guide explores how we can enhance and embed creativity in the early years to support children’s wellbeing. The book initially explores the work of Anna Craft, Ken Robinson, and Reggio Emilia to think about creativity with young children, before considering what this means for wellbeing. Five core chapters focus on creative mediums – drawing, sculpting and painting; craft; music; dance and drama; and storytelling and poetry – and offer a range of practical ideas and activities to use and adapt. This book provides: A wide range of activities accompanied by examples of collaborative arts projects with children. Interviews with artists and practitioners who support children’s wellbeing using creative mediums. Recommendations for creative activities using accessible and everyday materials. Case studies showing the positive impact of creativity, from developing children’s cultural understanding to soothing and supporting children with sensory experiences. Suggestions for enthusing children with a love of words, enabling them to express their thoughts and feelings through creative language. Moments for reflection to encourage readers to pause and consider the impact of creativity on their own wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of children in their care. With ideas included that every practitioner can use in their setting, this book is an essential tool for early years professionals who want to build their confidence in using creativity in their practice whilst supporting children’s wellbeing.
Offering teachers a dynamic and different perspective on mathematics, this book enables them to see and teach in creative ways that will develop their pupil's mathematical thinking potential.
