Why it matters - creativity

Why creativity matters!

A parents’ guide to creativity: how you can help your child to explore and be curious.

“A community who live and learn together”

What is creativity?

Creativity is not just about painting and drawing. It is much, much bigger than that.

Why does creativity matter?

Children are automatically creative in their every day play and learning. They are born with the curiosity and exploration skills that they need to make sense of the world around them. Being creative is easy and you could try some of these ideas at home.

Creativity is about...

How your children respond to what they see, hear, smell, touch and feel.

Creativity is about...

How children express and communicate their ideas, thoughts and feelings.

Creativity is about...

Being able to use a range of resources to design, make and build.

Creativity is about...

How children role-play, move, sing and play instruments.

Creativity is about...

Children using their imagination!

Role play Role play is when children pretend to be someone else - mum, dad, a job role like a firefighter or a teacher, or a character from a book. Children have great fun telling a familiar story or making up their own story. They can use costumes and puppets to share the story with each other. They can mix the story up and add different characters to it, or add a different ending.

Construction With a collection of different sized boxes children will make ships, rockets, houses and many, many more things. With a little guidance and help from you with scissors and tape you can let their imagination run wild.

Songs and rhymes Singing songs and rhymes at home is great fun. Once your child knows a few songs and rhymes you can let the children be creative and change the characters in them or make a different ending or make their own up. Think about using simple wooden instruments so that children can tap out a beat as they are singing songs and rhymes.

Making and creating Children love to explore paint, glue and recycled objects. Children gain more from exploring than they do from the end product.

Deciding to make a card or a boat is enjoyable but it does not allow children the freedom to explore paint, glue and objects. Try and encourage your children to explore materials to find out what happens, then they will be able to create with them. For example, seeing how glue sticks objects to boxes, then how paint will add colour to their boxes.

Outside There is nothing children love more, than being outdoors. Take children to their local park and allow them to explore the trees and shrubs where they can hide and let their imagination run wild. Collect twigs and other natural objects to bring home with you. Encourage your children to explore them and use them to create small worlds for small animals in the garden.

This booklet is based on ideas suggested by parents and staff at our Better Together day.

St Edmund’s Nursery School and Children’s Centre, Washington Street, Girlington, Bradford BD8 9QW Tel: 01274 543282 www.stedmundsbradford.org.uk