Session 3 - Everyday creativity: Practical pathways to play, expression and creativity

'Everyday creativity: pathways to play, expression and creativity’ Dr Penny Hay, Professor of Imagination, Bath Spa University, UK Tuesday 10 March 2026

“Imagine a world where our children are engaged in serious creative play, where their environments are full of space and light, where adults are companions in the children’s inquiries about the world.”

It is through imagination that we can create worlds in which we live. We can also re-create them.

Sir Ken Robinson

House of Imagination Creative Values

Unique and strong child Creative Values Holistic development Creative Dispositions Enabling environments Creative environments

Creative Relationships Relationships that empower Creative Relationships

Creativity and the characteristics of learning: Active learning Creating and thinking critically Playing and exploring

Playful learning dispositions Joy and surprise Confidence and self-esteem Independence and freedom Immersion and ‘flow’ Imagination and fantasy Perseverance and resilience Collaboration and co-operation Autonomy and choice Hypothesising, possibility thinking Risk taking and experimenting Invention and ingenuity Curiosity and making connections Reflective thinking Ownership and self-direction Sustained shared thinking

How do we create an environment for engagement and creativity?

Space, time and attention: Invitation Inspiration Imagination Intrinsic motivation Playfulness Creativity Curiosity Freedom Spontaneity Expression

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Holding a mirror up to nature, in the Living Tree Forest

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Imagination 202

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of est or

Forest of Imagination at Entry Hill

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Nature connection. Community engagement. Creative opportunities.

Greener vision for education

School Without Walls www.schoolwithoutwalls.org.uk Forest of Imagination www.forestofimagination.org.uk House of Imagination www.houseofimagination.org.uk Playful Green Planet www.rsa.org/playfulgreenplanet

p.hay@bathspa.ac.uk

Thank you!

cambridge.org/internationaleducation

Next steps Getting started with play-based learning in early years https://cambrid.ge/play-based-learning-getting-started How role play encourages conversation and brings in mathematics and writing opportunities​ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yb8jJpm-k8​

Explore Cambridge Early Years​ www.cambridgeinternational.org/earlyyears