Building a Creative Curriculum: Nurturing Creativity in Children

Flashcards covering the definitions, neurological foundations, and developmental principles of creativity in early childhood education based on the lecture by Nayanthara Monarawila.

Creativity (General Definition)

The ability to use your imagination to create something new, valuable, or useful.

Right Hemisphere of the Brain

Controls spatial ability, stereoscopic visualization, image processing, idea sequencing, creativity, art, imagination, face recognition, musical aesthetics, communication context, and body language.

Creativity (Whole-Brain Process)

A process arising from the interaction of multiple brain-wide networks rather than being limited to a single side of the brain.

Two Processes of Creativity

The sequential act of thinking, then producing.

Innovation

The successful implementation of new and useful ideas.

Difference between Creativity and Innovation

Creativity focuses on coming up with new and useful ideas, while innovation focuses on the successful implementation of those ideas.

Drew & Rankin (2004) Theory

The belief that when children have the chance to notice, collect, and sort materials and teachers respond to their ideas, they become artists, designers, and engineers.

Creativity vs. Intelligence

Two separate and different concepts that can and do influence one another.

The element of 'pretend'

Central to early creativity development through play, involving image making and transformation (Wood & Attfield, 2005).

Free Play

The essence of early learning; the freer the play, the richer the learning outcomes for the child (Broadhead, 2004).

Creativity Development Focus (Age Group $0 - 3$)

Focuses on sensory exploration, motor skill development, and self-expression rather than the final product.

Independent Play

Time allowed for a child to be self-directed, helping build a sense of curiosity and wonder.

Creativity (as a Process)

The core concept that creativity is a process as opposed to a product, especially in babies and toddlers.