Creative development

Creative development refers to the growth of a child's self expression. This can be seen in how they approach the various experiences that they come across in life.

The importance of creativity

A child's imagination will foster not only their approach to life but also their approach to positive and negative events throughout their life. By using all their senses a child's imagination will develop, and in turn so too will their creativity.

Creative development is an important part of all areas of development. Children should be encouraged to take a creative approach to all the experiences they're involved in, not just at particular times.

Encouraging creativity

It is important for adults to provide materials and opportunities to interact with a child or children in an encouraging way and to support and extend their creativity.

Asking a child to draw a particular object (eg a cat), or to make a particular object (eg a crocodile out of an egg container), is directing the child's creativity.

Children should be provided with materials and stimulus such as pictures, photographs, flowers, animals or real objects from the world around them. They should then be encouraged to interpret the information, to create the idea within themselves and to express what they see outwardly for others to view and enjoy.

If a child only wants to paint one line of paint on a large piece of white paper, you should avoid suggesting that they keep painting. That one line of paint may represent something specific the child wanted to express, as part of his or her own creativity. You need to respect the child's decision and remember it is the child's work and their way of expressing themselves.

Think back to when you were a child. Did you ever have imaginary friends or make up your own imaginary games, like having a shop or making imaginary cakes?